THE REAL STORY
This is my first post, i have read your forum for years. The primary reason for this post is to give the real facts of this incident in the hopes of assisting others.
I am the person on board the boat during this dive and subsequent search. My wife and my best friend were the lost divers.
Both divers have seven years of diving experience. they both have several hundred dives in the keys and south west gulf--we spearfish. Both divers were familiar with the dive spot and had dove it multiple times
The Plan: 1st dive of the day 65 feet on a patch reef Near Alligator reef 4-5 miles out) swim about 50 yeards deaper to 85 feet shoot fish. surface same spot 30-40mins. Boat on GPS spot
Safty Equipment: Whistle both divers, red inflatable bag for signling.
What Happened : divers missed patch reef went to nearby patch reef. When they surfaced they could see the boat but it was further away than they could swim. After attempting to signal with Orange gloves on top of spear gun (and drifting further). They began to swim for the lights on channel 2 bridge.
On the boat: Divers down at 4pm, at 440pm im worried, but stay near gps spot drifting down current, I suspect they are up and glare from the low sun is keeping me from seeing them, but im afraid to stray too far from prearranged pick up. 500pm I call Coast Guard on VHF and declair an emergency. then I run down current looking for them. Coast Guard is there within 10 min and begin search from the drop spot. I look for my wife and best friend until 3am when the Coast Guard calls me to tell me they have come ashore at channel 2. I thank God and head home to hug my wife and best friend
Lessons Learned: Is it ok to start a dive 1.5 hours before sunset? Not for me anymore--there is just not enough time to find people if somthing goes wrong.
2. Everyone who dives off my boat will have a light. It was rough that night and it may not have helped but a strob might have.
3 everyone will have a dive weenie. I suspect in the glare I wouldnt have seen them this time but its a good idea.
4 everyone should carry a red or white blow up trash bag -you need somthing big to get searchers looking.
As people have talked to me about this incident many have recounted experiences the same or near misses of this kind. A word to the wise - when i read these kind of reports I often shrug them off as mistakes made by the uncareful or inexperienced. This can happen: expect the best but plan for the worst..
As a side note. GOD BLESS the Coast Guard.
