Australian Dive Boat Left Snorkeler Behind in the Water

An Australian dive boat took off from the Great Barrier Reef, which is about 30 miles offshore. That wasn't a good thing, as the dive boat forgot someone. It seems the boat took off leaving Ian Cole in the water far from shore. He didn't know he had been left until he surfaced and realized the boat was gone.

What a horrible feeling, knowing you are 30 miles from shore and it's just you and fish, probably some really big fish too! Ian Cole, a 28-year-old Michigan native, said he began to struggle in the water when he realized it was just him and the sea. He tried to swim, then he questioned where he was swimming in the right direction or not.

A person can drown easily, even an experienced swimmer or snorkeler. If you panic, bad things can happen. You can imagine what must have been going through his mind. At some point he finally spotted another boat and he swam for 15 minutes to reach it. That was when he was told his Australian dive boat left.According to a report by MSN, "I was in shock when they told me my boat had left. I thought they were kidding," said Cole. "I nearly drowned. In my eyes, this is clearly a failure of the management to create an environment that promotes safety and competency."

Cole goes on to say that he does not intend to sue the dive company. He would like an apology, as well as assurance it won't ever happen again. When divers go out on a dive such as the Cole took, a head count is taken. The boat should not have left the area until the head counts match. The person who took the departing head count has been fired.

An Australian dive boat left Ian Cole behind and it was an awful experience for him. You will be glad to know they refunded his money and they also provided him with a $210 restaurant voucher. You have to wonder if he had a fish dinner with his voucher. Does that make up for the bad experience? Maybe not, but after all they are probably afraid that he will sue them even though he says that is not his plan. People have been known to change their minds!

Source:

MSN