Russian honeymooner missing - Thailand

[DandyDon]

Russian honeymooner presumed dead after Pattaya Far Islands scuba diving accident - Pattaya Mail - Pattaya News, Communities, Opinions and much more...

A Russian tourist on his honeymoon is presumed dead after disappearing during a scuba diving trip off one of Pattaya’s Far Islands.
Karen Gapoyan, 50, did not surface with 47 other Russian divers under the supervision of LKT. Under Co. off Koh Rin Nov. 22. His body has not been found.
The Koh Rin East dive site is a relatively shallow dive at an average six meters. Divers submerged for 55 minutes, but Gapoyan, did not surface with the group and could not be located.
Married to fellow diver Galina Telichkina, 57, on Nov. 16, the couple had purchased the diving excursion as part of their honeymoon vacation.
Gapovyan was said to be a healthy, experienced diver with 159 dives in his logbook and owned his own equipment.

 

[chillyinCanada]

47!!?? 47 other divers??!! Did I read that correctly?

 

[ElGaucho]

The Russian buddy system! If that's correct, I wonder what head count method they use!

 

[drbill]

Not sure I'd call it the "Russian" buddy system... they were diving in Pattaya, Thailand and the boat(s) there must have determined the number. I'd be a bit more sympathetic toward the lost diver and her new husband. Besides, we're supposed to discuss the incident itself rather than making snide comments.

 

[cruiser]

47 divers? That's not a cattle boat, that's a "herd" boat.

 

[DandyDon]

47!!?? 47 other divers??!! Did I read that correctly?

Well, given how often the news gets stories right - don't put too much faith in that. I think I have been out on some liveaboards with that many, or it seemed like it anyway. He had 159 dives logged, diving his own gear, with his wife for a dive bud I presume, in water about 20 ft deep. Sounds like a very safe environment, but apparently something went awry.

 

[MalibuJerry]

This one is consistent with an onset of something like cardiac arrest, separates to try to make it to the surface and does not. Hard to see how an experienced diver at these depths would not have options if something went wrong with his equipment. But doubtful we will ever know the truth here.

 

[chillyinCanada]

It wasn't my intention to make a snide remark, Bill. Despite the mystery of this man's sad demise/disappearance, still non-plussed about the 47 divers.

 

[Centrals]

47 divers on a day boat!!
The last time that I did a day trip out from Phuket, the boat was shared by several dive operators. There were well over 35+ divers on board.

 

[Oldbear]

47 divers on a day boat!!
The last time that I did a day trip out from Phuket, the boat was shared by several dive operators. There were well over 35+ divers on board.

Been there...done that.

Still very sad to lose a diver with that many other divers in the water. Fairly shallow water at that. Has anyone heard what the vis was?

My sympathies goes out to his family.