AM

The drums were put there a long time ago (I won't bother mentioning who by but the drums are NOT the problem) - anyway there are other considerations. There is suddenly an assumption that ALL the buoys are faulty - it is the lines underwater that are hazardous.

In regards to the buoys, there were lots of people attempting the bottom before the line to the 90m hut was placed. Without that direct descent line, the sump at 104 metres is a LONG swim away from the plinth. This was meaning divers ongassing a lot on the swim there and back in 4 degree water and many of them getting bent or simply not making it back because they were attempting it on open circuit, ill equipped for the depth and the swim. The line at least provides a reference point back up to the surface, instead of that long swim where people were attempting to get back to the plinth and running out of gas.

No one should be interfering with the buoys there on the assumption that they are doing someone a favour - the real issue is lines floating around at depth. We cannot remove every line, net or rope underwater, which is why divers are taught to carry knives. It's better to be forearmed by warnings. Removing things that we deem to be hazardous is not going to prevent people from dying at this site - by it's very nature people turn up there ill equipped and dive beyond their limits. THAT is what kills them, not the simple existence of buoys and lines.

I do not see it as my responsibility to "police" things underwater. People diving at this site KNOW fine well the dangers and the history of the site.
I have been in there and had open circuit divers on AIR follow me to 80 metres and beyond, narked off their heads. The problem is really that of divers undertaking dives that they are not ready, experienced, trained (by whatever method) or equipped for.

Regards

AnneMarie

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