Ed Jackson1
Guest
I wanted to do a trip report for the liveaboard we did, but one incident spoiled the whole week. Here is a copy of the letter I sent. Tell me what you think about it. I took the name of the company out becuase I'm not interested in starting any battles.
October 21, 2008
Dear Sir,
I am writing you to express my concern with the actions of the captain of the XX during the Galapagos trip from October 12-19th. The trip was the seventh live aboard I have taken and was by far the worst experience I have had to date. My concerns are with the contamination of the air used during the dives and the lack of concern for the safety of the passengers by the captain.
The trip started well with the only sign of concern was that enriched air nitrox was not available after a few days due to mechanical problems. On the fifth day of the trip, I and the other passengers noticed a caustic smell to the air that caused burning eyes and throat irritation. Several of us approached the dive master with our concerns. The dive master confirmed that he too felt that oil was contaminating the compressor. He continued to fill the tanks and told us to tell the captain. He did not make any attempt to do so himself or stop filling the tanks with the noxious gas. I approached the captain and identified myself as a physician who was concerned with the safety of the divers due to contaminated gas. The captain told me that all the gas was the same and I was the only one who had a problem with it. After insisting that he follow me to the dive deck, the captain was able to see that the gas was indeed contaminated with a strong caustic fume. He ordered diving to be stopped for the day and had the filter replaced or cleaned.
The next day the dive master assured us the air was safe and diving could be resumed since the air filter had been cleaned or replaced. After examining the air, it was apparent that the air was improved, but still contaminated with the smell of burning rubber or plastic. I approached the captain again with my concerns and was shocked with his behavior. The captain laughed at me and said that I was the only one having problems with the air during this trip. This was not the case. Everyone could smell the air including staff who acknowledged it during the dive briefing. They stated that it may cause tickling at the back of the throat, but was perfectly safe to use. As a physician, I was aware of laryngospasm, oil pneumonia and other uncertain risks of diving with contaminated air. I along with another physician, a level one trauma nurse and her dive buddy chose not to dive the rest of the day. Others chose to dive after being assured by the captain and crew that the air was safe.
Although there were no injuries or fatalities, I feel the actions of the captain are inexcusable. The fact that the compressor had a problem is not the issue. The problem is that the captain misled those who trusted him and by doing so placed their lives in danger. The air had improved with the filter change, but it was still not safe. The compressor needs to be cleaned because the oil residue or other contaminants are still in the whips and tanks. That repair, however, could not be done overnight. The captain chose to take a risk with others lives and won this time. Nothing happened, but what about the future? Such complacency with safety will undoubtedly lead to tragedy if that type of practice continues.
I do not consider this incident to be a problem with the company. I hold the captain responsible and hope you do too. The crew is also somewhat to blame by telling the passengers that the air is safe even if they were ordered to do so. Because of this, I have sent the 420 dollar tip to Divers Alert Network. I have also sent letters to XX. Please feel free to validate this letter by contacting others aboard the vessel. I can also be reached for more information.
October 21, 2008
Dear Sir,
I am writing you to express my concern with the actions of the captain of the XX during the Galapagos trip from October 12-19th. The trip was the seventh live aboard I have taken and was by far the worst experience I have had to date. My concerns are with the contamination of the air used during the dives and the lack of concern for the safety of the passengers by the captain.
The trip started well with the only sign of concern was that enriched air nitrox was not available after a few days due to mechanical problems. On the fifth day of the trip, I and the other passengers noticed a caustic smell to the air that caused burning eyes and throat irritation. Several of us approached the dive master with our concerns. The dive master confirmed that he too felt that oil was contaminating the compressor. He continued to fill the tanks and told us to tell the captain. He did not make any attempt to do so himself or stop filling the tanks with the noxious gas. I approached the captain and identified myself as a physician who was concerned with the safety of the divers due to contaminated gas. The captain told me that all the gas was the same and I was the only one who had a problem with it. After insisting that he follow me to the dive deck, the captain was able to see that the gas was indeed contaminated with a strong caustic fume. He ordered diving to be stopped for the day and had the filter replaced or cleaned.
The next day the dive master assured us the air was safe and diving could be resumed since the air filter had been cleaned or replaced. After examining the air, it was apparent that the air was improved, but still contaminated with the smell of burning rubber or plastic. I approached the captain again with my concerns and was shocked with his behavior. The captain laughed at me and said that I was the only one having problems with the air during this trip. This was not the case. Everyone could smell the air including staff who acknowledged it during the dive briefing. They stated that it may cause tickling at the back of the throat, but was perfectly safe to use. As a physician, I was aware of laryngospasm, oil pneumonia and other uncertain risks of diving with contaminated air. I along with another physician, a level one trauma nurse and her dive buddy chose not to dive the rest of the day. Others chose to dive after being assured by the captain and crew that the air was safe.
Although there were no injuries or fatalities, I feel the actions of the captain are inexcusable. The fact that the compressor had a problem is not the issue. The problem is that the captain misled those who trusted him and by doing so placed their lives in danger. The air had improved with the filter change, but it was still not safe. The compressor needs to be cleaned because the oil residue or other contaminants are still in the whips and tanks. That repair, however, could not be done overnight. The captain chose to take a risk with others lives and won this time. Nothing happened, but what about the future? Such complacency with safety will undoubtedly lead to tragedy if that type of practice continues.
I do not consider this incident to be a problem with the company. I hold the captain responsible and hope you do too. The crew is also somewhat to blame by telling the passengers that the air is safe even if they were ordered to do so. Because of this, I have sent the 420 dollar tip to Divers Alert Network. I have also sent letters to XX. Please feel free to validate this letter by contacting others aboard the vessel. I can also be reached for more information.