Trip Report Raja Ampat, Live Report, Nov. 7-Dec. 7, 2023

[CWK]

This downcurrent happened in Raja Ampat, where the water temperatures are pretty even (constant).

It was by a wall. So different cause for the downcurrent.

 

[CWK]

My hope in reporting my experience is for others to learn and be mindful and well prepared for every dive. I do need to make a clarification to my report as follows: "One diver dropped her weights, emptied inflated her BC, and still could not fin up."

Once she was out of the down current, she then emptied her BC to stabilize her ascent.

Thanks for that clarification.

 

[Dan]

It was by a wall. So different cause for the downcurrent.

They do this dive usually early in the morning when the current is relatively mild. As sun rises the temperature difference between water and the ground would rise, the current would also pick up. However, this downcurrent happened early in the morning. How do you explain that?

 

[CWK]

They do this dive usually early in the morning when the current is relatively mild. As sun rises the temperature difference between water and the ground would rise, the current would also pick up. However, this downcurrent happened early in the morning. How do you explain that?

I don’t think I need to explain it.

 

[Dan]

Here’s the dive site description written by Burt Jones, the pioneer of Raja Ampat exploration. I circled the right time to dive it (early in the morning) and yet that ripping downcurrent still happened.

 

[Dan]

How about the tide period and geographic location of the place?

Indonesian Throughflow - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Dan]

Differential temperature is not the only parameter causing the current.

I don’t know the tide condition when the accident happened, but today at 5am in Raja Ampat, it’s changing at the maximum (steep slope), see below.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Here’s the dive site description written by Burt Jones, the pioneer of Raja Ampat exploration. I circled the right time to dive it (early in the morning) and yet that ripping downcurrent still happened.

View attachment 815718
View attachment 815719

The takeaway should be that there are ideal times to dive a site, but that never guarantees that conditions will be optimal or expected, which is why ops still check current and conditions before letting divers jump in..it is nature, after all, and anomalies are possible. Even after checking current and conditions, things can change quickly. A place that is a good example of this is Alor. If the op is not familiar with the site and potential of change, plus how quickly it can arrive (and also depart), people can get into trouble quickly and I have seen this reported and happen.

There are never any guarantees, or one should not expect that, except for the guarantee of water.

 

[JonnieB]

I bought two from the guys in Banga.
One has taken a walkabout.
I'd love to get another, as now I'm needing a new spare. I like them because they're longer than norm too.

Who did you say that you bought it from in Tulamben?

Yes they are an inch or two longer than normal (and as we know, every inch counts

I bought mine from one of the guys who hang out at the Liberty Wreck and Drop-Off gear up sites and sell t-shirts. They usually have a few on them or just request one and they'll have it waiting for you when you return from the dive. I've never seen these particular pointers in stores or online.

 

[JonnieB]

I did not read through all 12 pages to know this. Sorry about that. I was just sharing my experiences based on the parts I did read.

I just went diving into the thread looking for it and found it. I understand your sentiment and agree with it but let’s not assume that everyone saw it and is just not GAF because that is not me. I appreciate the heads up on it.

So sad for his family and for those to have to witness it. RIP.

The death and possible causes have been extensively covered in the thread. And the op is a Raja Ampat trip report, not a post on the diver's death, so discussion on equipment for a safari to RA is appropriate.