Diver hit by boat off Mellieha

skip · June 27, 2009, 08:40:38 CET

I have contacted Emi Farrugia from X' Qala l-Bahar with some high level ideas I have because I think we need to create a production that really emphasises safety at sea from all aspects, boaters, spearos, divers, the authorities (AFM/MMA), the diving shops, the guys selling boats....hekk even the banks providing the finance.

If we could actively promote and get corporate sponsorship for such a production we could go as far as trying to convince authorities to make it mandatory for each person renting a boat from operators to watch a safety briefing, give out a DVD with the sale of a new boat, spearfishing/diving equipment, would be nice with the registration or renewal of each boat etc

It would be a big challenge but I believe it should be done.

busumark · June 27, 2009, 08:47:20 CET

DUNSTAN i dont think you were right that you dont go on a programm to promote spearos saftey because there are some who break the law. the authorities should take care of these. because there are a few egoist and stupid people the others shouldn t be made to suffer

cal357magnum · June 27, 2009, 08:58:32 CET

Get well soon D. May you be out of there in a jiffy and go on practising apnea. Don't let this incident kill your passion.
This topic was raised time and time again in the forum. If I'm not mistaken Emic once send us a link to Youtube which shows the same problem spearos and divers have in Italy. More than 95% of the boat handlers interviewed did'nt even know what a red flag with a white diagonal strip means, let alone knowing the distance you have to keep form such flag!
As I said, D get well soon, coming from all my family.

baghira · June 27, 2009, 09:21:35 CET

Guys.
As I have said previously, I also shared skip's taught, that of creating a TV programme with the help of someone, for an awareness campaign. Previously I have also contacted emi. Hope that this time, with the help of the forum we do manage. I am ready whenever for it, all the help I can give will be given, and I encourage others to help also. I know that there are many enthusiasts, but many of them stay always in the shade, waiting for others to react, and that is shameful. As Dunstan said, there are also those persons that stay in the shade for a reason, being it due to the fact that they fish illegally, but these should not stop us, (I know how cautious dunstan is) from promoting our sport and creating awarness. There are law enforcers to enforce this breaching in law. What i do not agree with Dunstan is the fact that you read the post you mentioned, and you did not react to it......What if someone followed what this person what writing, and had an accident.....so never step back, and act.

jean · June 27, 2009, 10:37:11 CET

First of all, get well soon D.

Guys as you all know I have been out of action for quite a while - so I dont want to seem as if i'm butting in or something but this issue is one which cropped up many many times and causes me great concern. I think that raising awareness is crucial at this point. I agree with all that has been said, especially with what dunstan wrote in his third para, but at this point I suggest one quick action - a protest like the spearfishermen in Sardinia had done a couple of years ago. We should just get a permit from the police, contact as many people as possible, meet up in Valletta or somewhere, everyone get as many buoys as possible, contact the press, and make sure that it would be over all the news papers the next day. Just a peaceful march down the street with a banner and buoys.

For the videoing as Marcam said just let me know and I'l be there. For writing or contacting authorities etc, let me know how i can be of any help and just email me or call me. Re regulations, i will try check out with a lawyer, but if anyone has access to police force/MMA lets try and be certain in order to raise awareness that something should be done.

Always keep safe, and if any action is going to be taken and any help is needed let me know.

jessijames 2 · June 27, 2009, 15:41:03 CET

First of all get well soon D

What about the marinas authorities install bill boards at the marinas and remind boat owners that red and white stripe buoys means stay away because there is a diver in action, and driveing close to shore with high speeds means a high posibility of hitting a sweamer or a diver.

Moonwalker · June 27, 2009, 19:29:56 CET

Quote from: skip on June 27, 2009, 08:40:38 CET
If we could actively promote and get corporate sponsorship for such a production we could go as far as trying to convince authorities to make it mandatory for each person renting a boat from operators to watch a safety briefing, give out a DVD with the sale of a new boat, spearfishing/diving equipment, would be nice with the registration or renewal of each boat etc

This would be the best solution for this summer (and maybe next) but ultimately I think there must be a driving license for any type of sea craft.

Granitu · June 27, 2009, 19:37:35 CET

well, he have car driving licenses but still accidents occur and people get run over still.....

common sense and less selfishness when having fun is the way. you have to know a basic and be responsible not only for you but for others too, simple

skip · June 28, 2009, 11:27:18 CET

Common sense must prevail at all times and spearos must be aware of their actions when they are on the water travelling to their spot. Some of you are equally bad at respecting the laws of the sea in terms of maxiumum speeds near the shore including passing in between St. Pauls island.

Granitu · June 28, 2009, 14:31:29 CET

well said skip. fortunately my boat can barely ever reach extremely high speeds

LapsiBoy · June 28, 2009, 14:37:46 CET

7 Knots full speed

But still you can kill someone at that speed so id doesnt mean if your driving slow you should ignore whats ahead of you

Granitu · June 28, 2009, 15:21:47 CET

no surely not but it is not a killer speed. leaves a lot of thinking time lapsi that's why...

powerful boats leave none or very little in the nearby lol

LapsiBoy · June 28, 2009, 15:24:24 CET

true

Moonwalker · June 28, 2009, 15:55:53 CET

Quote from: Granitu on June 27, 2009, 19:37:35 CET
well, he have car driving licenses but still accidents occur and people get run over still.....

common sense and less selfishness when having fun is the way. you have to know a basic and be responsible not only for you but for others too, simple

Ofcourse that accidents still happen but how about if there was no driving license?
Anyway I believe skip has some good ideas that will help be less accidents for sure.

Granitu · June 28, 2009, 17:27:52 CET

moonwaker, there are people with nautical licenses and don't know what a diver down flag means.... it is up for nothing for his instance.

in my opinion the course is childish and a rip off. there is too few on risk management, and i haven't heard of first aid practice which is essential to have someone knowledgeable at sea