R.I.P Frank Baldacchino

Buddhagrass · September 10, 2008, 20:31:18 CET

Hi Guys,

I don't know if anyone has heard but unfortunately Frank Baldacchino from Mellieha has lost his life during a practice apnea dive off Xemxija Bay. I don't really know Frank but obviously an accident like this really shocks me. May his soul rest in peace.

http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsID=54167&newscategory=36

Let us remember him in our prayers.

skip · September 11, 2008, 08:13:44 CET

Very sad to hear of this loss of life, may he rest in peace.

I know it's no consolation to his family but at least he was doing something he loved when he passed away.

EmicMalta · September 11, 2008, 09:16:02 CET

Quote from: skip on September 11, 2008, 08:13:44 CET
Very sad to hear of this loss of life, may he rest in peace.

I know it's no consolation to his family but at least he was doing something he loved when he passed away.

agree with you 100%

rob1974 · September 11, 2008, 10:03:19 CET

Sad to hear this kind of news. My thoughts go to his family.

Our hobby/ies, be it diving/spearfishing or boating/fishing, have inherent dangers which we must not ignore or take for granted. Just one note....mohhkom hemm!!

Rob

The_Gaffer · September 11, 2008, 11:32:16 CET

I agree with rob1974. May Frank's soul rest in peace. Such a sad loss of life. But I cannot but repeat rob's warning, especially to all our apnea buddies out there....mohhkhom hemm!!

Gazzetta · September 11, 2008, 11:50:40 CET

Quote from: The_Gaffer on September 11, 2008, 11:32:16 CET
I agree with rob1974. May Frank's soul rest in peace. Such a sad loss of life. But I cannot but repeat rob's warning, especially to all our apnea buddies out there....mohhkhom hemm!!

Same words from my side !!

Chris

LapsiBoy · September 11, 2008, 12:42:28 CET

fabrizioviper · September 11, 2008, 16:33:17 CET

agree with u all guys .lets remember frank in our prayers.

baghira · September 11, 2008, 23:41:20 CET

No words I can express in such a situation...............May he rest in peace, and guys,, you all know how many times we have been told not to dive alone, that's an essential safety issue.
I know that sometimes we do go on our own, but be more careful, and do not push to your limits on that particular day.

I know that this might sound strange, but I beleive that if we would know the cause of death, we would be more aware of certain issues, and pay more attention.

Be careful, dive safe, and always keep an open eye on the surroundings.

markcam · September 12, 2008, 08:16:39 CET

May he Rest In Peace. The issue of never diving alone is a very important one, because even proffessionals have died swimming in waters several meters short of their capabilities and have lost their lives.

Seahunter · September 12, 2008, 09:39:17 CET

Quote from: fabrizioviper on September 11, 2008, 16:33:17 CET
agree with u all guys .lets remember frank in our prayers.

suffrun · September 13, 2008, 10:49:59 CET

May he rest in peace.

Robert · September 13, 2008, 12:03:45 CET

Sad news as always. RIP.

I will take the opportunity to draw the attention of all boat owners to something important. I will start with a very basic premise:a responsible diver always plans each dive he makes. That includes, among other things, reducing your dive time in order to have a reserve of air in case a boat passes just overhead, forcing you to spend an extra 20 or 30 seconds under the surface in order to understand from which direction the boat is coming and waiting for it to actually pass by. However, it only takes a 'more-than-average-fish' to make you forget this! Thus, boat owners, keep in mind that underneath every buoy there might be someone waiting for the sound of your prop to start fading away...and he might be turning blue in the face.

I am sure that MFF boat owners do take care as they are aware of divers thanks to the forum. Make sure, however, that when talking about the late Frank Baldacchino with your boating buddies, you mention this point.

We can't afford to take any risks.

Robert

baghira · September 13, 2008, 19:49:07 CET

Youre' more than right rob...............

ramio · September 13, 2008, 20:33:34 CET

Hi guys, to add to the valuable advise given above, note that espesially with lampuki about, boats tend to pas by any mark they see. I'm not sure what a diver bouy and flag looks like, and I think most people don't too. We covered it in the nautical course, but these things are forgotten.
Can any one give a good description of the marks identifying a diver.