Account by local diver on diving during Tsunami

[Achilles Tang]

I (and others) received this email from Jack Lim this morning;

Dear All,

It is wonderful feeling to have friends who are

concerned about my situation and I am glad that you

are all reaching to check on my safety. I am safe and

we are grounded for the time being to let this sad

event pass and help pick up the pieces here in Phuket.

Phuket is truly devastated by the sudden tsunami that

rock it's shores especially Patong. The event seen is

hard to describe as I went down the streets and

beaches today to survey the destruction left behind.

It is taking a risk to go back to the beaches as it

can occur anytime but I needed to witness this grim

reminder that life is fragile and how these gentle

people pick themselves through the ruins.

Let me recap the event that happened for myself and

how fortunate I am.

Last day of our trip 21-26Dec, over Boxing Day.

We did our first dive at 0630 on 26/12/04 on Koh Bon

and the next dive was supposed to be at KhaoLak wreck

at 0930hr. But due to some guests who are flying out

the next day, we reschedule the 2nd dive at the same

place in Koh Bon.

Entering the water at 0940hr, we (2 diving couples +

me) cleared the peak shelf at 26m but with some

current against us... a bit stronger than usual. The

other 2 groups could not clear this section as they

were pushed back into the bay area that we were moored

last night.. 20minutes into the dive, it became a

strong drift dive..stronger than usual as we were

practically flying and swirling through the underwater

at about 15 knots. Then from afar, I saw like a

sandstorm churning and coming towards us. I observed

that the fishes were scrambling for safety and looking

closely, I could see the fishes eyes and that they

really running from something.. I never saw this kind

of panic on the fishes. Before I know it, my charge of

divers were dispersed and all were quickly separated.

We were all in this underwater sandstorm, couldn't see

anything but flying through blindly and trying to

avoid slamming into any of the reefs. The best form of

self recovery was to get out of this churning water as

there were undercurrent that were spiralling one

downwards deeper. After about 8 minutes doing my

safety stop, I broke surface to notice the sea surface

was gushing too but no sight of my divers.

A speedboat from another dive operation came to my

rescue. I sighted my boat at about 400meters and gave

a signal which they recognised. They came for me but I

told them to look for my divers that were found

250meters further down from me. Knowing that they were

picked up safely, I jumped back to the water and swam

back for my boat. The liveaboard then headed back into

safety of the bay to pick up the rest. They too were

rescued but other speedboats. It was then obvious that

divers were being swept in different directions. I

ended up on the northern side whilst my fellow dive

guides and their charge were swirling up and down the

depths on the south side.

Fortunately all divers from the liveaboard are back

safely.

That's when we heard the breaking news of the tsunami.

Heading back to the mainland pier, there were ruins of

boats tossed up onto the shores including one huge

Thai Naval frigate. The bay area was a mess with

debris and occasional floating bodies. It took us

about 2 hours waiting to dock but the currents were

swift. Another speedboat came to offload our divers

and bags as news came that the aftershock will come

shortly and we had to scramble back onto the town

pier. The town at the bay area was deserted. All it's

people left for higher grounds. KhaoLak beach and town

was badly hit and imagined that if we had done our 2nd

dive at KhaoLak site!

We managed to get our transport to pick us up before

the any aftershocks and headed for Phuket town.

The next day, I took to the Patong beach area to view

the devastation and it is very bad. It is sad to see

shoes lying in the sand on the beaches. Everything was

tossed around like matchbox toys! Perhaps later, I

shall send pics of Patong beach and shopping streets

and Taplamu bay pier.

Take care all and GOD bless the departed souls.

Thank you for your caring thoughts.

[XPeriment 626]

[Nautical]

........ and GOD bless the departed souls.

these words are just heart wrenching.

our prayers go out to those who have lost their lives, and to those who are injured and devastated.

[bwilly]

veri lucky..

[Alentino]

I pray for the Lord to be in control of this bad situation.

[giantbicycle]

[terryansimon]

my friend's sister held on to a coconut tree for dear life when the tsunami hit phuket. she's back in singapore now, and is still visibly shaken by the entire experience.

quite badly injured as well.

[Guinness]

According to many accounts, those diving further away from shore were the luckiest.

One thing i hope all divers learn is to surface with air to spare. Can you imagine if you are dragged along and u are low or run out of air? Yet so often i see divers practically drying out their supply before surfacing.

[kelstorm]

One thing i hope all divers learn is to surface with air to spare. Can you imagine if you are dragged along and u are low or run out of air? Yet so often i see divers practically drying out their supply before surfacing.

how very true...