Safety while diving

[EmicMalta]

Guys,

Please take attention in the area where will be diving. As one can notice, boat traffic season had started which increase the risk for us out there. Always take float with you and if possible the round one that can be seen much more. Even if there are laws for boats at what speed and distance from shore they can pass, one can see these powerful boats passing few meters from beaches.

On Sunday was diving in the south where the patrol boat passed 2 times and even like that there where speed boats passing by shore. Even for the members of this forum, try that when seeing a diver not to pass near and to check if he is with the second or third buddy

Who have ribs try to put diver down flags at high visibility. Even like this there are guys that come close so imagine without. Yesterday in Gozo, one of the best spearos in Malta had an accident. A boat passed on him with the consequence of loosing a leg.

[baghira]

We put our dinghi in the water together. (Louis and Ian, and Mark, Penzu and me)
They were diving in our same spots. Then at around 5 when we got out of the water, we noticed that the others were still in the water. After a while one of their friends came by the jetty and told us what had happened. We hoped for the best, but unfortunatey, he lost his leg.

Some of you might give few importance to our numerous advices, but thrust me, you would understand immediately if you had to be involved into such a tragedy.

1 Allways dive in close distance to the buddy, paying attention to your buddy for a few seconds even after he surfaces, (an ok sign would be brilliant).
2 Flags guys and floats, I know that it is very annoying to carry, but that is rule to be followed, especially since that many of us dive on saturday and sunday.

[markcam]

Last year I was swimming with a buoy only 50 meteres off shore and I noticed a boat coming towards me.  Luckily I managed to dive in time and the boat passed exactly on top of me and my buoy.  After he passed over the buoy he noticed and slowed down.  That was one of my biggest shocks of my life !!  Another time I was with my dinghy (Anchored) and a large luzzu was coming towards me, he was fixing his nets while it was on auto pilot.  He only realised after I was shouting loudly and only changed his direction a few meters from my rib. 

At this time of the year you have to forget all the north coast of Malta. 

[SPNOTTA]

When I carry the buoy with me, it's like a magnet for sea craft...it's saying look I find a hotspot...come and check it out...while you are there why not harass me a bit by closing in on me? One of my worst days was Gnejna bay, when my buoy was used by jet skis as a marker and a speed boat missed me by a hair's breadth ( I thought it was the end).

Nowadays I do not venture out and hug the coast. I love stormy weather, wind and big waves...those are the days I feel safe...when there are no seacraft around.

[SPNOTTA]

When is something going to be done? When one of us gets killed?

[Granitu]

on a serious note guys, why don't we phone a local television news program and x qala il bahar to do a note on this. summer is approaching and everyone has the right to enjoy it, including us.

these unknowledged people need to be aware that with greater power comes greater responsibility! simple

[ciappinu]

Personally I don't believe much in Flags and Markers. In Mellieha 8 year old kids drive dingies, I can guarantee some of them have no idea what a diving flag looks like. I think you should avoid wearing a head cap when diving in boat traffic as it reduces your ability to hear a boat coming. Besides the water is already quite warm and you can do without it.

[baghira]

Yep right granitu, but I already tried to contact emi once, but to not avail (although regarding a different issue)
Good point. Who of us will try......!!!! The programme is viewed by many.....
They did it already once on Le iene......in Italy

[Granitu]

yeah i would do something similar- i would stay on the bottom but with an unofficial afm squad with us to fine all the unlawful discrimination. So that we get their motivation for this absurd abuse. it doesn't cost anything after all to pay some attention and keep distances. it is absurd that during the lampuki season they come near trolling as if it is a fad......cmon..... or else come near to see your catch.....and if you catch me.... then what? they would probably leave you there live what they did some years ago with a 11 year old kid amputating her hand and giving her no first aid

i wold try to contact them guys but after 11th june for sure. i think skip could have a contact because once he sent an invitation to vip members to feature on x qala l bahar during a fishing trip(invitation).

it could be in conjunction with aqualungs too, as long as we are -ve from sea level . emi should come with us instead and see the problem of discussing irrelevant issues like where is st pauls wreck- this is a more serious issue-more than the notes of danger on wrecks

[EmicMalta]

Guys,

In Italy they are doing advertising for awareness regards attention with Boe and divers

Will be in contact with a guy that needs clips even from Malta.

Ps. Pls spread this video as much as possible

[Granitu]

whoever has a facebook upload it at least it would be viewable to some

[markcam]

If the Malta Maritime Authority or any local diving club would contribute to promote such an important cause I think it would reach a greater audience, including me.  (I'm not very good with Italian)

[Granitu]

yes true but it has to begin from somewhere.....

for the mma i would consider to ask them about the existent law, to see whether they know it or not...... i wouldn't be surprised if they don't know it

all these courses, and i think they fail to teach to new boaters how to identify 100 metres at sea, so goddam simple! for some 100 metres =20 metres

[mellieha]

did anyone hear something about the diving incident that happened yesterday in the south?

[EmicMalta]

what happen? from where did you hear that?