Dondon462
Contributor
Having voyaged to Antarctica nearly every season since 1993 on my own yachts and dive ship, I know of the attraction. For the past 8 years I have been managing a cruise ship to Antarctica and belong to www.IAATrg who just released the following message to members. Very sad and condolences to the family.
Statement from Oceanwide Expeditions:
Oceanwide Marine Services and Oceanwide Expeditions were informed on the 12th of March at 1120 (Ushuaia time) that an incident occurred during a dive at Half Moon Island. The divers were passengers aboard the Plancius.
Approximately two hours earlier, a female diver suddenly disappeared from view from the surface. A search began immediately, and the dive master and diving guide found her at 1015, unconscious and at a depth of five meters. Following her recovery from the water and after 85 minutes of CPR and medical attention by the ship's doctor, she was unfortunately pronounced dead at 1142.
The passenger was a Japanese national, born in 1962. She had over 1,500 hours of diving experience including 50 dives in a drysuit.
Oceanwide immediately informed all the authorities; i.e. the ship's flag state, Dutch authorities, Argentine Coast Guard in Ushuaia, the Japanese Embassy in Buenos Aires and IAATO. The staff and crew secured her diving equipment for later inspection, and made full statements. Their reports, along with medical reports and photographs, have been provided to all authorities.
On Sunday, 17th of March, Oceanwide was informed that the Dutch authorities had requested that Argentina conduct a full investigation when the ship returns to Ushuaia the 20th of March, and will include interviews with the captain, dive master and some crew members.
Oceanwide Expeditions and Oceanwide Marine Services, as well as the Plancius' officers, crew and onboard staff paid their respects to the deceased and have asked the Japanese Embassy , who is in contact with the husband of the deceased, to pass along their condolences.
The cause of the fatal accident is unknown at this time, and all involved hope that the investigation by the Argentine authorities will provide some answers. Oceanwide Expeditions and Oceanwide Marine Services, the officers, crew and staff onboard are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
Statement from Oceanwide Expeditions:
Oceanwide Marine Services and Oceanwide Expeditions were informed on the 12th of March at 1120 (Ushuaia time) that an incident occurred during a dive at Half Moon Island. The divers were passengers aboard the Plancius.
Approximately two hours earlier, a female diver suddenly disappeared from view from the surface. A search began immediately, and the dive master and diving guide found her at 1015, unconscious and at a depth of five meters. Following her recovery from the water and after 85 minutes of CPR and medical attention by the ship's doctor, she was unfortunately pronounced dead at 1142.
The passenger was a Japanese national, born in 1962. She had over 1,500 hours of diving experience including 50 dives in a drysuit.
Oceanwide immediately informed all the authorities; i.e. the ship's flag state, Dutch authorities, Argentine Coast Guard in Ushuaia, the Japanese Embassy in Buenos Aires and IAATO. The staff and crew secured her diving equipment for later inspection, and made full statements. Their reports, along with medical reports and photographs, have been provided to all authorities.
On Sunday, 17th of March, Oceanwide was informed that the Dutch authorities had requested that Argentina conduct a full investigation when the ship returns to Ushuaia the 20th of March, and will include interviews with the captain, dive master and some crew members.
Oceanwide Expeditions and Oceanwide Marine Services, as well as the Plancius' officers, crew and onboard staff paid their respects to the deceased and have asked the Japanese Embassy , who is in contact with the husband of the deceased, to pass along their condolences.
The cause of the fatal accident is unknown at this time, and all involved hope that the investigation by the Argentine authorities will provide some answers. Oceanwide Expeditions and Oceanwide Marine Services, the officers, crew and staff onboard are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.