Unknown Oklahoma couple missing - Matagorda, Texas

[Richard Dayan]

Divers get lost everywhere. What's your difference?

I fail to see how a private charter in this scenario would have turned out any differently. The divers weren't forgotten. The boat couldn't find them because of distance and bad weather.

There are exceptional boat crews out there that will always find you but, there aren't many, most are just average. I tested many until I found a solid crew. One time we drifted 1.4 miles from our starting point, and they found us. A different time and a different crew, I found myself swimming back, so I have a little experience lol.

 

[DandyDon]

It's today, their birthday...

 

[Biotech Diver]

So according to their FB, they both had a Nautilus PLB.

Wow, the one time you need something extremely crucial to work, and it won’t work.

I might throw mine away and get a Garmin GPS with the diving case on it.

I think the range on the Nautilus is not even close to advertised except under perfect conditions. I was reading about this many years ago when looking for a PLB. I ended up buying the Garmin In Reach. My concern with the Garmin is that the waterproof claims are not very good at all. Better hope the housing you buy for it separately does not fail.

 

[chaad]

I think the range on the Nautilus is not even close to advertised except under perfect conditions. I was reading about this many years ago when looking for a PLB. I ended up buying the Garmin In Reach. My concern with the Garmin is that the waterproof claims are not very good at all. Better hope the housing you buy for it separately does not fail.

They were within view of the boat when they surfaced, so if they actually had a Nautilus, they'd have been within range. The Nautilus website describes typical use within 5 miles. I don't think they had one.

 

[John Bantin]

Why were they not picked up by the Fling's annex boat? Surely in open ocean conditions all liveaboards deploy a boat (such as an inflatable) for picking up those divers who are unable to make it back to the main vessel? If they were swept away, the crew in the annex boat would have picked them up before they went very far?
I was a full-time diving journalist for more than 25 years doing a dive trip every month (sometimes two). I've never been on a liveaboard without a using pick up boat unless in very benign sea conditions such as moored in a lagoon. ... and what happens if the vessel catches fire or sinks? It happens. More than 24 times in the last decade.

If you were witness to what happened and not subject to an NDA, I would like to hear from you.

 

[scubadada]

For those of you who are subscribers, there is a nice article regarding this incident in the August Undercurrent that came out today.

@John Bantin question is a very good one

 

[John Bantin]

I know someone who was on that trip.

Get them to contact me, please; john@undercurrent.org

 

[John Bantin]

I was told by someone on the boat at the time that it came out of nowhere and blindsided everyone. They were recalled and the only criticism they leveled was it took too long for all the divers to get out of the water. Which... not sure if that falls on the boat or divers or what.

I have never been on that trip nor am I the expert for swells or weather nor do I run dive operations, but that is what the reputable observer told me.

If you know someone who was on the boat at the time, please ask them to contact me: john@undercurrent.org

 

[pjbonacum]

I think the range on the Nautilus is not even close to advertised except under perfect conditions. I was reading about this many years ago when looking for a PLB. I ended up buying the Garmin In Reach. My concern with the Garmin is that the waterproof claims are not very good at all. Better hope the housing you buy for it separately does not fail.

I carry a Garmin Messenger - solely for the SOS satellite functionality. Since Garmin apparently can't make a suitable water-proof case for this small device that is waterproof to 130 ft (If GoPro can do it for a camera, Garmin should be able to do it for the Messenger) I carry it in a "DryFob" aluminum canister rated to 300 ft depth. A little bulky - but a reasonable work-around to also carry copies of key documents: passport, Insurance etc.

 

[chaad]

Y'all should support Undercurrent and subscribe to read the article there, so I'm not copy/pasting it in, but I will share this part from the end of the piece:

Oklahoma Diving Couple Spends 39 Hours Adrift
Undercurrent, August 2024

PS: We prepared this story from a variety of sources, including The New York Times and a KPRC2 Houston news report that shows Lisa Shearin's video of some of the dive. We contacted the MV Fling for further details but received no response. Curiously, none of the news reports refer to the boat or specific crew members, but it's clearly visible in this news video in the footage from Sherin's camera.

I'm guessing the attorney for the Fling's owner told them to not speak to anyone about it pending any potential litigation. It pains me that they've made zero statement on the matter, but I can't say I blame them for keeping quiet.