In case you missed it last week, DAN Asia Pacific Exectuive Director and long-time diver, John Lippmann, made a personal statement on the situation regarding the recent incident in the Whitsunday’s where 2 divers were rescued after 19 hours in the water. They have come in for a surprising amount of criticism in the media and on some of the scuba forums since the incident. You can read Mr. Lippmann’s personal thoughts here. He is basically sympathetic towards the divers, as in fact I am. Until facts come out that demonstrate recklessness on their part, it seems strange that they have been victims of such a witch-hunt. Perhaps the newspapers are worried that by the time the facts do come out, it won’t be a story any more so they’re making the most of it while they can.
I think the main message is that shit happens, and we should all be relieved that there was a good outcome, just as there was for the 8 Taiwanese divers who were rescued last month after 48 hours.
DAN’s official statement regarding the insurance position is here.
