Dive Boat Goes Down In Rough Seas Today.

[NomadJoe]

I just heard from a reliable source that Kamala Diver Center's boat sank in rough seas today. Also South Siam had a boat take on water and had to bring out a second boat to transfer passengers over. It was very rough seas today. I'll post details as I get them.

[Attol]

any news?

[stevenl]

There was a mechanical problem with the Kamala boat, so they had to run it aground. While doing that they hit the rocks, but it did not sink.

Yes, South Siam took on water and evacuated but did mot sink, Jolly Roger lost a diveplatform. I also heard of a speedboat that cut of its roof to prevent it from being launched.

The big winds coming up around 15.30 surprised everybody, but no personal accidents.

[NomadJoe]

Thanks Steve. Good to hear there were no injuries. I see the story has been posted at PW now.

.

Edited May 5, 2012 by NomadJoe

[Old Croc]

I also heard of a speedboat that cut of its roof to prevent it from being launched.

I just don't understand this sentence.

Is it a second language thing or is it me?

[stevenl]

I also heard of a speedboat that cut of its roof to prevent it from being launched.

I just don't understand this sentence.

Is it a second language thing or is it me?

The speedboat apparently cut of its roof because the roof was catching too much wind, threatening to launch the boat into the air.

Edited May 5, 2012 by stevenl

[Old Croc]

Ok, get it now. Fairly extreme thing to do at sea.

I was high and dry in Chalong when that wind storm went through yesterday. I thought a few of my trees were going to be uprooted. Guestimate the wind would've been 60-80 knots in gusts.

Hate to have been on the water at the time.

Edited May 5, 2012 by Old Croc

[stevenl]

Ok, get it now. Fairly extreme thing to do at sea.

Yes, very. I'm sure the people on board were not too happy with being exposed to the elements, but the alternative would have been even worse.

[lavender19]

Interesting comment on PW from survivor she said the boat was in bad shape to start with and that a lot of the life belts were broken.

I thought there was a "clampdown" on the safety of dive boats after the one that sank a couple of years ago killing people.

Oh sorry just another Thai style clampdown.

I sailed for many years and I would not set foot on most of the heaps of scrap here.

[stevenl]

Interesting comment on PW from survivor she said the boat was in bad shape to start with and that a lot of the life belts were broken.

I thought there was a "clampdown" on the safety of dive boats after the one that sank a couple of years ago killing people.

Oh sorry just another Thai style clampdown.

I sailed for many years and I would not set foot on most of the heaps of scrap here.

Not exactly what she said. She said 'the bottom looked rusty to me', 'some of the life jackets were broken' and 'there was no life raft'. She concluded 'this boat was not fit for purpose'. She could be right, I very much doubt she is and I seriously doubt she is able to judge this.

[jeltanic]

Dear Stevenl

Jolly Roger didn't lost any dive platform, and have no damage. All 58 passengers and staff were safe always. Yes it was rough weather and we have some things fall down, but our boat is of good strong design. Please feel free to contact our office should you want true information. Our thought's go out to all those at Kamala dive centre.

Aoy - Jolly Roger

[stevenl]

Dear Stevenl

Jolly Roger didn't lost any dive platform, and have no damage. All 58 passengers and staff were safe always. Yes it was rough weather and we have some things fall down, but our boat is of good strong design. Please feel free to contact our office should you want true information. Our thought's go out to all those at Kamala dive centre.

Aoy - Jolly Roger

Good, glad to hear it, thanks for the correction.

[KarenBravo]

Not exactly what she said. She said 'the bottom looked rusty to me', 'some of the life jackets were broken' and 'there was no life raft'. She concluded 'this boat was not fit for purpose'. She could be right, I very much doubt she is and I seriously doubt she is able to judge this.

She said there was only 12 life-jackets onboard which was just enough, though the dive instructor had to wear one of the 12 that didn't buckle up. The boat is meant for 25 persons.

Sounds cut and dried to me. She's right.

[stevenl]

Not exactly what she said. She said 'the bottom looked rusty to me', 'some of the life jackets were broken' and 'there was no life raft'. She concluded 'this boat was not fit for purpose'. She could be right, I very much doubt she is and I seriously doubt she is able to judge this.

She said there was only 12 life-jackets onboard which was just enough, though the dive instructor had to wear one of the 12 that didn't buckle up. The boat is meant for 25 persons.

Sounds cut and dried to me. She's right.

That is what she said later.

She is for sure not right in some of the things she mentions:

A rusty bottom, which is very strange for a wooden boat.

Other boats did not go out because of inclement weather, even the most safety conscious boats went out yesterday.

The sea was already very rough at the start, no it was not, very normal for this time of year.

My information regarding what happened exactly is different from what she mentions. I was not on the boat though, but on the other hand she is not an experienced boat person so would not know exactly what was happening.

Regarding life vests etc: can't comment on that, if it were really the case there were not enough life vests on board that would be bad.

[petercallen]

Some of the dive boats i have seen here are very top heavy

Where i come from they use cray/lobster boats which are very stable

[NomadJoe]

There was a mechanical problem with the Kamala boat...

I guess having a hole in the hull is technically "mechanical."

She is for sure not right in some of the things she mentions:

A rusty bottom, which is very strange for a wooden boat.

Specifically she said "looked" rusty which the bottom of a wooden boat operating in sea water can appear especially to someone not familiar with boats, even after just one season. I agree though, doubtful that observation was related to the accident.

Well she is an actress so perhaps being a bit dramatic? --> http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4587207/

Important thing is no one was hurt or killed. The ocean is unpredictable and can be unforgiving. These things are rare but can happen even to the most prepared and cautious. All in all I think dive boats here have a pretty good safety record overall considering how many operate everyday throughout the region. Hopefully some things were learned.

Edited May 5, 2012 by NomadJoe

[geriatrickid]

I see that the woman quoted is complaining about the condition of the boat, and the rough seas and the lack of life jackets.

OK.

She was not forced to go on the boat. Anyone with common sense knows that you do not get on a Thai dive or speed boat without first verifying safety measures and whether or not the operator is reputable. Sure, some will say, its hailand, how can you know? Well, if you don't know, you don't go if you have a choice. There are reputable dive professionals operating in Phuket. They may not offer the cheapest price out there,, but they know what they are doing and that expertise comes at a cost.

[lavender19]

I see that the woman quoted is complaining about the condition of the boat, and the rough seas and the lack of life jackets.

OK.

She was not forced to go on the boat. Anyone with common sense knows that you do not get on a Thai dive or speed boat without first verifying safety measures and whether or not the operator is reputable. Sure, some will say, its hailand, how can you know? Well, if you don't know, you don't go if you have a choice. There are reputable dive professionals operating in Phuket. They may not offer the cheapest price out there,, but they know what they are doing and that expertise comes at a cost.

She probably thought she was booking with reputable company.How was she to know.The way Phuket is portrayed by by TAT and and many other source's as being a first class holiday Island she probably thought she was safe.

Also probably she isn't a member of the Phuket Thai Visa know it all club

[TheWalkingMan]

As far as I can tell the woman was an eyewitness to the event and how people here can say she is wrong about her observations mystifies me. Looks like more of the let's shoot the victim ramblings.

[petercallen]

When we went to Ko Samui the life rafts on the passenger/ car ferry

were overdue for inspection by 2 years, i doubt the dive boats are

safety checked regularly if they do not check large ferries

[NomadJoe]

Anyone with common sense knows that you do not get on a Thai dive or speed boat without first verifying safety measures and whether or not the operator is reputable.

Highly unlikely any tourist has ever done that...ever. Do you mean they should count the life jackets? Check to see all permits and training are/is current? Give the crew a breathalyzer? GK, I'm confused by that statement.

[pagallim]

Anyone with common sense knows that you do not get on a Thai dive or speed boat without first verifying safety measures and whether or not the operator is reputable.

Highly unlikely any tourist has ever done that...ever. Do you mean they should count the life jackets? Check to see all permits and training are/is current? Give the crew a breathalyzer? GK, I'm confused by that statement.

Confused like you NJ, I have a mental image of Vladimir from Novosibirsk getting agitated on Rawai beach, demanding to know where Somchai keeps his flares, VHF radio, and vessel registration for his longtail..................

[stevenl]

Anyone with common sense knows that you do not get on a Thai dive or speed boat without first verifying safety measures and whether or not the operator is reputable.

Highly unlikely any tourist has ever done that...ever. Do you mean they should count the life jackets? Check to see all permits and training are/is current? Give the crew a breathalyzer? GK, I'm confused by that statement.

Maybe Vladimir gets analyzed himself and won't be allowed on board

[petercallen]

Why would a tourist not expect a dive boat to be checked by the Govt

yearly like other countries dive and charter boats to make sure the

boat is seaworthy and all the necessary safety equipment is aboard

for the licensed amount of passengers and crew

[SeanPhuket]

Reading the posts, I wonder who has a vested interest?

[petercallen]

Reading the posts, I wonder who has a vested interest?

Sticks out doesn't it

[NomadJoe]

Anyone with common sense knows that you do not get on a Thai dive or speed boat without first verifying safety measures and whether or not the operator is reputable.

Highly unlikely any tourist has ever done that...ever. Do you mean they should count the life jackets? Check to see all permits and training are/is current? Give the crew a breathalyzer? GK, I'm confused by that statement.

Confused like you NJ, I have a mental image of Vladimir from Novosibirsk getting agitated on Rawai beach, demanding to know where Somchai keeps his flares, VHF radio, and vessel registration for his longtail..................

I think GK was pulling our fins.

[NomadJoe]

Reading the posts, I wonder who has a vested interest?

Sticks out doesn't it

Hmm..Not sure I get you, You talking about jeltanic who signed his post as a representative from Jolly Roger? Yeah, that sticks out. Or stevenl who everyone knows owns a shop (the link is in his profile) yet he still broke some of this story. I originally posted about the indecent to begin with so I know your not talking about me. I think mostly fair comments by all considering this being Thaivisa, although obviously the boat didn't actually "go down" as I was first told.

Letter released today from Kamala Dive Center refuting some of the rumors:

[Old Croc]

I wouldn't describe a 10 x 50 cm hole as a crack!

I guess the company statement has to try to minimise the incident, but when you have to beach a vessel to prevent it sinking, and customers have to swim 100 metres in rough seas to a rescue boat, it's not a minor incident.

[LivinginKata]

Ok, I have removed the last 4 posts as they moved way off the original topic. HKP has yet again tried to move the topic to his own agenda. This will not be tolerated by this local mod.