Japanese diver killed by prop - Phuket, Thailand

[EireDiver606]

Statistically, 90% of all statistics is made up.

I've cleaned a small 25hp outboard enough times to know you don't wanna bend over the transept to do that. You want to have a platform to do it from. How many % have one?

Of course it’s easier to do it on a platform! I never argued that.
It helps also if you have a steel A frame on the back so you use it to help you lean out...
I’ve cleaned out engines as well, and I’m fine with it, it’s just annoying at times.

 

[Doc Harry]

I had a near miss with props on a live-aboard out of Phuket a few years ago.

The crew told us to gather on the back deck and wait until the captain blew the horn, which was our signal to jump in.

The captain blew the horn, but then changed his mind and decided to back up. I jumped in when the horn sounded, before the dive master was able to stop me, and I found myself facing two large, angry props as the boat moved towards me.

Luckily I was able to get out of the way, but the boat repositioned without me, and I went through a whole tank in 10 minutes fighting the current to get back to the boat.

 

[Robert Dean]

So, the divers were jumping in the water from a moving boat, as in props rotating very fast.

Props on a boat like that are pretty well under the hull. If it's moving at 3-4 knots even the moment and prop wash will keep you away. Not that different from walesurfing behind an inboard ski boat.

 

[Robert Dean]

You can lift the props with the console if they’re outboard. 90% of boats are outboard.

Inboards are better but outboards are more practical, that you can fix them much easier

Outboards are far less common on boats in the marinas around me. Even most of the sailboats have diesel inboards. Of course, it depends on what kind of boats you're talking about. It might be true for trailered boats in salt water.

 

[EireDiver606]

Outboards are far less common on boats in the marinas around me. Even most of the sailboats have diesel inboards. Of course, it depends on what kind of boats you're talking about. It might be true for trailered boats in salt water.

Outboards are generally more common on smaller boats, and most dive boats aren’t massive boats you can sleep in for a few days. Outboards are easier to fix. Obviously worse on fuel though unless it’s inboard two stroke

 

[Pearlman]

Props on a boat like that are pretty well under the hull. If it's moving at 3-4 knots even the moment and prop wash will keep you away. Not that different from walesurfing behind an inboard ski boat.

My deepest condolences and regret for the tragedy affecting the diver and her family.

Right, its hard to get to the propellers when on the surface. Attaching a picture of me jumping from the boat - not sure if this was SS3 or SS4. I did a 3D LOB trip back in 2012 with SS Divers. I dont see how a diver can come around the propellers for a boat like this if she was on the surface. As you can see there are rounded stainless steel (or aluminum) guards all around. (I've been slammed against these rails by strong 4 feet waves when trying to board the boat after a dive - luckily no lasting pain beyond a few seconds, but useful to have around for sure). She must have been a few feet under water and then pulled towards the props. Being a new diver not in control of things yet, quiet likely.

Edit: Looking again there is a gap where the left ladder is pulled up so ... a possibility exists.

 

[Bob DBF]

I dont see how a diver can come around the propellers for a boat like this if she was on the surface.

From the OP "She jumped from the boat when a big wave pushed her under the boat."

That entry would put her below the surface and guards. Getting pushed under a boat by the screw(s) is dangerous enough, but if the they are used to keep the boat on station at that time it will be fatal.


Bob

 

[billt4sf]

I have not dived in Thailand, but I can tell you for sure that the Indonesian guys piloting dive boats (day boats) are sometimes not very skilled, and often not so attentive, and on top of that there is no such thing in Indo as "safety first". The idea simply does not exist.

- Bill

 

[KathyV]

I don't want to start false rumors because it may just be a coincidence, but the diver that was killed has the same name and is approximately the same age as a famous Japanese athlete, Yoshida Saori - does anyone know if it is the same woman - or just the same name?

Saori Yoshida - Wikipedia

 

[Bob DBF]

I don't want to start false rumors because it may just be a coincidence, but the diver that was killed has the same name and is approximately the same age as a famous Japanese athlete, Yoshida Saori - does anyone know if it is the same woman - or just the same name?

Saori Yoshida - Wikipedia

Saori Yoshida - The Japan Times

Relates a discussion with her and a reporter on 2/7/2018.


Bob