It seems there is an official ruling concerning diving in the Similans out of season - it's illegal - so that takes care of all those questions about "to dive or not out of of season".... ah well...
"SIMILAN ISLANDS: Passing fishermen rescued passengers and crew from a storm-lashed dive boat last weekend after a pipe broke loose in the engine room. Instead of water being pumped to the boats toilet, it was pumped into the engine room, swamping the vessel.
The Rarerngchon (Atlantis X I believe), leased to Atlantis Divers of Patong, was taking five foreigners and 12 Thais to the Similan Islands last Saturday when the drama unfolded on the high seas.
Two fishing boats took some of the dive boats lifejacket-clad cargo back to port at Tab Lamu, Phang Nga. Others made it back in the Rarerngchons rubber dinghy. The Rarerngchon itself finally sank in eight meters of water off Beacon Bay, near Similan Island No 8. Insurance assessors are expected to visit the boat to see if it can be salvaged.
Wittaya Hongwiangchan, Chief of the Similan Islands Marine National Park, warned tour and dive operators that it was illegal to bring tourists into the marine park during the monsoon season when the seas are rough and dangerous.
The park opens again in November."
"SIMILAN ISLANDS: Passing fishermen rescued passengers and crew from a storm-lashed dive boat last weekend after a pipe broke loose in the engine room. Instead of water being pumped to the boats toilet, it was pumped into the engine room, swamping the vessel.
The Rarerngchon (Atlantis X I believe), leased to Atlantis Divers of Patong, was taking five foreigners and 12 Thais to the Similan Islands last Saturday when the drama unfolded on the high seas.
Two fishing boats took some of the dive boats lifejacket-clad cargo back to port at Tab Lamu, Phang Nga. Others made it back in the Rarerngchons rubber dinghy. The Rarerngchon itself finally sank in eight meters of water off Beacon Bay, near Similan Island No 8. Insurance assessors are expected to visit the boat to see if it can be salvaged.
Wittaya Hongwiangchan, Chief of the Similan Islands Marine National Park, warned tour and dive operators that it was illegal to bring tourists into the marine park during the monsoon season when the seas are rough and dangerous.
The park opens again in November."