open water hits close to home

[susieq]

check out this article, makes the movie that much scarier:

June 30th, 2004

Divers Missing
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Australia (AFP)
Two Americans on holiday, Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis, have been missing from a local dive boat since Sunday morning. The couple boarded the "Reef Explorer" along with a group of 25 divers and 3 crew members for a forty minute dive. Ryan and Travis, both "open water" certified scuba divers, dove on their own away from the larger group. A routine head count had been taken before and after the dive, but apparently the couple was left behind more then fifteen miles from land in waters rumored to be shark infested. No foul play is suspected at this time, though reports of overcrowding, a distracted staff and a series of miscommunications may account for the accident. The couple's disappearance was not detected for more than 24 hours when the captain of the Reef Explorer found some of their belongings still on board the vessel. Authorities launched a search and rescue operation immediately upon notification of the couple's suspected disappearance. As of this time, their whereabouts and fate are still unknown.
This disappearance comes on the heals of another American, Dan Carlock, who was left floating adrift for 5 hours of the California coast when his dive boat left him stranded. Carlock was eventually rescued when a boy scout spotted him floating in the distance (USA Today).

For more information lost divers, and emergency diving procedures please visit the National Association of Rescue Divers and the Reef Scuba Association.

[Kn'thrak]

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