Does anyone know their total bottom time? I would presume there computers would show a changing depth until the end. That information never gets out unfortunately but was just wondering.
Or do we know if the gear was checked out to see if their was malfunction?
The gear is always checked out, so we can be sure that will happen. The computer will also be checked. But don't count on ever hearing the results. In fact, you can be pretty sure that you won't hear the results. We are unusually lucky to know as much as we do. There has been a discussion of this on another forum that is most illuminating in this regard.
As was mentioned much earlier in the thread, there is an organization called the IUCRR that has the official responsibility to perform body recoveries, complete investigations, and issue a report to the police. Although people involved in the recovery had IUCRR training, the IUCRR did not officially supervise the operation or its aftermath because they were not notified as they were supposed to be. Things are now in official hands, however.
When the IUCRR is in charge of the recovery site, no one talks to the press. No one later participates in these threads to tell what they know. They have been warned that anything they say may violate privacy laws, etc., so their policy is to stay silent. Because there was no such group in charge of this recovery site, the recovering divers did talk to the press, which is mostly how we know what we know.
Years ago, the IUCRR published their reports publicly. Not any more. Again, they have been warned that they may be violating privacy laws. The police will not usually release the reports, either, even though they are considered public records under the sunshine laws. If you know a report has been completed, you can request it from the police via the freedom of information act, and they are obligated to send it to you.
The following comment from the IUCRR appeared on another forum as an explanation as to why they no longer publish their reports.
Law enforcement may choose to close a case or may elect to keep it open. The IUCRR is not notified by law enforcement when or what decision is made. In addition to possible criminal investigation there is civil litigation that is affected by a statute of limitation that allows parties with standing to sue. That may be two or more years after the event depending on venue. .... I have no desire to put the IUCRR and any of its volunteers in a situation just to satisfy some ghoulish internet curiosity. The important information is already out there for all trained cave divers to understand. ...
The time spent by some vocal internet critics could and should be used to BUY A STAMP and file a FOIA or Sunshine law request as you suggested earlier. Any individual doing that and learning something from a Law Enforcement agency that we have pledged our confidentiality to can post whatever they like and face any legal consequences for doing so.
