Wednesday 18 January 2012

New laws for reef operators

A parliamentary review of the dive and snorkelling industry has proposed new laws that aim to avoid a repeat of the 1998 incident in which US couple, Tom and Eileen Lonergan were left stranded on the reef for two days before they were reported missing.

The proposal will require reef operators to have a least two counting systems to ensure all passengers have returned to the boat.

But Poseidon skipper Peter Wright says Port Douglas reef operators will not be adversely affected, stating the local industry are already undertaking these measures.

"We've always had multiple head counts, we get the whole crew involved and have up to ten people involved in counting.

"They do 'blind counts' where each section of the boat are counted separately and the numbers are added together by the skipper so people don't know how many they're looking for.

"We also get everyone to sign off on the way back. We've been doing this for the last 14 years.

"I think it's pretty common practice. The ones who wouldn't do it would have rocks in their head."

The proposal also includes mandatory medical testing for people who are overweight, people over 45 years of age or suffer from high risk medical conditions.

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Craig Burkill, 19-01-12 16:11:

Well I blame the media for tieing in a snorkeling death with the call laws for introductory dives. However being a certified diver I am fully aware of the physical demands on a healthy +45 year old on a supervised introductory dive, which are not great. What next? compulsary testing before riding a roller coaster, a waterslide ... going for a swim at a controlled beach ... "Nanny State R Us"

Ali Dee, 19-01-12 14:16:

Many years ago my Husband myself & our young son went on a reef scuba dive cruise. My husband went a little further afield than the group but was within the range of view. After near all other passengers had reboarded the boat i was drying my son when i heard the boat motor start. I loked over and saw my husband still happily snorkelling , clearly unaware that the boat was readying to depart. I thought it was a warming up of the engine and thought surely they can see him. But the boat then moved , i had to leave my sone and quiuckly alert staff that my husband was still in the water. I can see how mistakes can be made very easily. Although being a childcare worker and use to head counting on excursions i found the system highly flawed and dangerous!

Sharon , 19-01-12 12:00:

My understanding Craig B (from other news reports) is that the medical testing for over 45 etc is in relation to the into/resort diving NOT the snorkeling as suggested.

John , 19-01-12 07:10:

Let move the medical testing to where it really required That is fast food outlets Sorry "M" but this is where a lot of the problems stem from let get ppl eating health food and god forbid exercise like snorkling to to get fit and have a healthy life

Richard , 18-01-12 10:12:

The mandatory medical testing for people over 45 will be paid for by the Government I assume? I am over 45, slightly overweight and suffer from a crippling medical condition called Parliamentaryitis...!Surely the story should read "people of any age who suffer from high risk medical conditions" rather than discriminate against those over 45.

Craig Burkill, 18-01-12 09:33:

Wow since when has snorkeling become a high risk extreme sport? maybe it should be added to the next Xgames. The over 45 parliamentarian who suggested such a stupid policy of medical testing for snorkeling is probably so overweight that tying his or her shoe laces is a high risk sport. I am over 45 and if I believe that I am fit enough to snorkel then I probably am. This well coined 'Nanny State' is going too far. Lets hope the international media don't get hold of this or we will be the laughing stock of the world.