Divers’ lives saved in search and rescue op
(CNS): Three people are thankfully still alive this afternoon after they became separated from their dive boat and ended up on the outside of the reef in rough seas. A successful search and rescue operation was launched at around 11.40am this morning after police were informed that two visiting divers and their 33 year old dive instructor from a company called “Living the Dream” were missing. The group had been diving in the North Sound area near to Stingray City when they became separated from their dive boat. When staff realised that they were missing they raised the alarm. The Joint Marine Unit immediately deployed Niven D, captained by Senior Police Constable Hugh Bush.
Within a matter of minutes the Marine Unit crew spotted the missing divers approximately 200yards outside the reef in extremely rough water and about a quarter of a mile from their
dive boat. Officers brought the divers – two men and a woman – aboard the Niven D and transported them back to shore where they were checked out by paramedics.
“Thankfully none of the divers were injured,” said Inspector Bennard Ebanks, the officer in
charge of the Joint Marine Unit. “They were all understandably very tired; the sea was rough and the swells were about 5-6 feet in height; fighting those kinds of waves would sap anyone’s
strength. “The dive company did exactly the right thing by raising the alarm as soon as they realised that something may be wrong. Their quick thinking combined with the fact that we were able to deploy so quickly most likely saved the lives of the divers today,”
He explained that the visiting couple (aged 32 and 22) from Arizona had arrived this morning by cruise ship and were only visiting the Cayman Islands for one day. “They were both left extremely traumatised by the ordeal but are very grateful to everyone involved in their rescue,” he added.
Category: Local News
captain Bush good job, Thats the way we old vetrans do it.
I do hope they sent the bill for this to the Dive company. The CIG would do well to take a page out of the book of the Mayor of South Fulton, Tennessee.
Last time I checked "search and rescue" is part of the Marine Units itinerary.
With that train of logic perhaps we as "Joe Public" should bill all government services for all the "botched" jobs they do.
now if only they could find the hundreds of pounds of drugs entering our country as quickly as these divers then we’d be making some progress…
I wonder if someone doesn’t have anything else to do but to give thumbs down for every positive comment when it comes to a story like this with a happy ending. What do you find wrong with saving a person’s life? It could’ve been you out there that needed rescuing. Go give your thumbs down to some other matter where it’s more fitting.
Yes, it always makes me so warm and fuzzy inside when people in Cayman actually do the job they get paid to do. These people are our true heroes.
Some people are just badminded and grudgeful that is why they do that.
Thank goodness no one was injured. The owner made the wrong decision to go out that day. There was a small craft warning in effect.
There was not a small craft warning in the North Sound. Stingray City was open and all other boats were out, taking guests to Stingray City. There was a small craft warning in effect, but NOT for the North Sound. it is important to have the correct facts.
Another successful rescue thanks to Captain Hugh "King" Bush and crew.
Captain Hugh Bush is well known as one of our most skilled boat captains in the Cayman Islands and knows our waters like the palm of his hand.
Good Job DTF Marine.
Good job King. You sure know that water out there and always willing to help.
Well done with a happy ending.
I’m so happy that this incident had a happy ending. Praises to all those who assisted.