Mantra
Contributor
I find myself very moved by the ferry tragedy that is unfolding. Here's hoping they find air pockets inside the ship. Those poor children. What a horrifying way to die - trapped inside a metal box filling with water.
And it made me think - I've dived a similar wreck. It was the Dona Marilyn off Malapascua. An Asian passenger ferry that went down with horrible loss of life in the late eighties. So its a comparatively fresh wreck. I felt a somber, solemn sense on that dive and was conscious I was looking at a grave. And it felt respectful or something to bear witness to that ship.
But I couldn't imagine going near this Korean boat, which is in 30m of water. Not in the forseeable future. Not for - decades, maybe? It would feel wrong and voyeuristic.
So where is the line? How soon is too soon? Is there any sort of consensus on that?
If anyone has other ethical notes about diving wrecks I'd be interested to hear them.
And if you believe in anything, pray some of the children will be found alive. And if not join me in hoping.
Thanks, all.
And it made me think - I've dived a similar wreck. It was the Dona Marilyn off Malapascua. An Asian passenger ferry that went down with horrible loss of life in the late eighties. So its a comparatively fresh wreck. I felt a somber, solemn sense on that dive and was conscious I was looking at a grave. And it felt respectful or something to bear witness to that ship.
But I couldn't imagine going near this Korean boat, which is in 30m of water. Not in the forseeable future. Not for - decades, maybe? It would feel wrong and voyeuristic.
So where is the line? How soon is too soon? Is there any sort of consensus on that?
If anyone has other ethical notes about diving wrecks I'd be interested to hear them.
And if you believe in anything, pray some of the children will be found alive. And if not join me in hoping.
Thanks, all.