Bad Weather Disrupts Search For Japanese Diver

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Bad Weather Disrupts Search For Japanese Diver

By Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter -

 

Diving instructors search for Irie Takuma on Wednesday just off Koh Phangan, where he went missing Tuesday.

 

SURAT THANI — Search efforts for a Japanese tourist who went missing in the sea off Koh Phangan were paused Thursday due to flooding and heavy rain.

 

Rescue personnel, Thai and foreign diving instructors and various marine officials had been searching for Irie Takuma, 23, since he was reported missing at about 2pm on Tuesday off the island’s eastern shore before suspending the effort today.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/calamity/2017/01/05/bad-weather-disrupts-search-japanese-diver/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2017-01-05

[Basil B]

I was not aware of any dive sites off Koh Phangan?

 

Sounds like a small group went snorkelling/skin diving off a beach with where red flags were flying because it was not safe to swim.

[samuijimmy]

7 minutes ago, Basil B said:

I was not aware of any dive sites off Koh Phangan?

 

Sounds like a small group went snorkelling/skin diving off a beach with where red flags were flying because it was not safe to swim.

 

They have training sessions up at Mae Haad / Koh Ma area (NW corner) perhaps elsewhere also  ... coral used to be good there, but very limited now, I think.

 

Another case of ignoring red flags, sadly.

[Bsd]

This article isn't the clearest, it leaves me with more questions than answers.

 

Was this group snorkeling off a beach (reference to the red flags).  Or were they actually out diving (with all the equipment that entails) and again off the beach or from a boat.  If they were diving where did they get the equipment from, since at the very least they would have had to had the tanks charged locally.

 

If it was snorkeling off the beach by themselves then, well they aren't the first people to end up in this situation.  If they were diving either they were experienced and had no concern for their own safety, something which doesn't sound very Japanese where beaches are deserted if there is no lifeguard on duty no matter the conditions.  Or they were learners and had trusted some instructors that it was safe to go out with them.

 

 

[samuijimmy]

Just heard it was Maehaad beach (KP) no detail as to they were snorkeling or diving... 

 

It can be very rough there at this time of year... tides seem to be quite high too...