Incidents happen all the time and it is the people(s)'s response that prevents it from becoming an accident. Hong Kong divers have been in quite a number of accidents.
With many people diving solo (w/o the appropriate training/experience/equipment), w/o being able to swim, surfacing far away from their boat w/o SMB, we should be thankful that there haven't been more
accidents.
It would be difficult to keep an up-to-date record of all scuba-diving related accidents that happen around the world.
Here is a record of what we know regarding cases in the region (popular destinations for HK based divers) and/or involving Hong Kong divers. Some links are provided to related news reports.
Hopefully these reports will help you to avoid a similar accident. Not a lot of information as to the "how/why/what" of a diving fatality is published. I got the feeling it is all kept hush-hush for whatever reason.
If you know of any that we did not list, please sent us an email with info and/or the source of information.
Please keep in mind that most information is not from "official sources" like the Police, Marine Department or Coroner's office.
Unfortunately Hong Kong "powers to be" are extremely reluctant to release details re diving accidents. They therefor take away an opportunity for others to learn from these tragic events.
2019, May 12, Okinawa, Japan
2017, November 22.
Taiwan.
2017, August 13.
Tsim Chau, Tai Long Wan
Hong Kong.
2017, May 9.
near Waglan Island,
Hong Kong.
2017, March 5.
Sipadan Island,
Malaysia.
2016, July 31.
NE Cape,
Taiwan.
2016, July 2.
South Nine Pin island.
Hong Kong.
2016, May 17.
Kenting,
Taiwan.
2015, July 5.
Race Rocks, Victoria, BC.
Canada.
2014, July 13.
Tsim Chau, Tai Long Wan
Hong Kong.
2014, February 14.
Nusa Penida/Nusa Lembongan, Bali,
Indonesia.
2013, September 7.
Tioman island. Malaysia.
2013, August 5. Togian Island, sulawesi.
2013, March 14.
Lapu Lapu City, Philippines.
2013, March 13. Blue Lagoon. Port Dickson. malaysia.
2013, March 10.
Palau Au, Malaysia.
2013, February 27.
Ao sane Beach, Phuket.
2012, June 3.
"no anchor zone" at Kiu Tsui, Sharp Island.
Hong Kong.
2012, March 24.
"Koala", Batangas,
Philippines.
2012, February 26.
Batangas/Verde Island, Philippines.
2011, November 9. Tanjung Bira, South Sulawesi
2011, July 24.
Hong Kong
2011, July 17. Subic bay, Philippines.
2011, May 21.
Anilao, Philippines.
2011, March 17.
Anilao, Philippines.
2009, July 3.
Tung Ping Chau, Hong Kong.
2009, May 24.
Ung Kung Wan / Bluff island, Hong Kong.
2009, April 28.
Tseung kwan O, Hong Kong.
2009, March Olanga island, Mactan, Philippines.
2008, July 27.
Port Island / Chek Chau, Hong Kong.
A male Discover Scuba Diving drowned. Different reports state his age as 30, 40 and 41 respectively. Obviously, verifiable information NOT available yet (as per May 18).
Two divers got hit by a speedboat upon ascending. Boaters were taken to the police station, the divers to hospital. NO WORD regarding whether any dive flags were ion place nor whether the divers used an (D)SMB for their ascent.
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2106657/hong-kong-fireman-and-prison-officer-injured-after-being
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news.php?id=186215&sid=11
A male diver (53) went missing on a dive trip with 4 other divers. (there are reports they went to the oil rig further out). The Marine Police and Fire Services Department sent boats to search. As of today, May 18, still no news of whether he has been found or weather they are actually still searching.. No details re experience, his buddy, spear-fishing or not equipment, Nitrox etc etc.
A 50+ y/o male diver was found drowned off Sipadan island. He went missing during a dive at "Barracude Point".
A male diver was found unconscious underwater at South Nine Pin island. The people who came across him brought him up and signaled for help. A "team" from another dive boat responded and started resuscitation. The man was declared dead in hospital. No, confirmed words as to whether he was diving solo, or that his buddy/buddies failed to raise the alarm.
A 25 y/o woman drowned whilst diving in a lake near Kenting. Reports are not very clear and conclusive ones are yet to be released ). Three things stated are "diving alone", "possible asthma attack" and "oxygen tank on her back". Let's hope the latter was just a poor choice of word (air tank vs oxygen tank). Diving alone is always riskier. If one suffers from asthma, well that raises all sorts of questions.
A 27 y/o man (based in England) got seperated from his guide/DM and went missing on a dive. After an extensive search, the search was called off. His body was found by a fisherman on August 27, not far from Race Rocks.
A 57 y/o retired member of the elite "Flying Tigers" unit went missing on July 13 whilst diving off Tsim Chau.
Despite a large scale search by divers, boats and helicopter, he was not found.
The man was only found July 19, on a beach on the east side of Hong Kong.
Seven Japanese divers went missing on their 3rd dive of the day, two instructors, based in Bali, and 5 fun divers on holiday. The fun divers each had 50+ dives logged.
The area the y were diving is known to be hit by strong and unpredictable currents.
What exactly happened is not fully disclosed yet. What is clear though that their boat left the area for a short period and then returned to the area where the divers were meant to be picked up.
As to whether the divers surfaced at the correct place, and as to why the captain left, is still to be made public.
On Feb 17, five were found alive in the Manta Point area, about 20 km away (as the crow flies). One was found dead on a beach on Feb 18. The last, 7th, person is still missing.
The Crystal Bay area was closed temporarily in August 2012 after a Danish man and Japanese woman died diving in the same week.
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A female, late forties, was reported missing around 1530.
Despite efforts by divers from the fire fighter-department and up to 21 volunteers, it wasn't until 1930-ish that she was found.
She was found mid water, which might explain why initial searches didn't find her.
It is said that she was part of a 8-9 pax group, under supervision of 3 instructors, doing fun dives w/o being certified (not confirmed by authorities).
A 32 year old female (Philippines) drowned on a dive at "Koala". She failed to surface and was found later-on. Her buddy surfaced earlier b/o dizziness. Both of them certified Advanced Open Water divers, one wonders why they would split up instead of surfacing together.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/25/12/globe-exec-drowns-after-scuba-diving-batangas
37 y/o Hong Kong man died on a dive whilst on a dive trip. He was found unconscious on the surface. No report on where he was diving nor were there other relevant details. Nothing reported about his buddy / dive group.
Divers on a different dive boat reported strong (down-) currents. One of the well-known sites at Verde island is called "the washing machine".
41 y/o Hong Kong man died on a dive whilst on holiday. There were mixed reports, both online and newspapers, as to whether he was found conscious or unconscious. what is clear though is that he was diving on his own.
Two HK divers, out spear fishing, got into trouble. One died (51) and the other (48) went to the hyperbaric chamber, after a visit to the hospital. The latter was treated for decompression illness. The surviving diver is said to be a divemaster/instructor.
According to reports, the deceased diver was dragged down 60 mtr. by a large fish he "speared". Most likely the were somewhere in the direction of the oil-rigs, a popular spearfishing site with deep water.
Two Hong Kong divers went to Subic Bay for some "technical diving". They went into the wreck of the "USS New York" with a US dive master.
One of the two HK divers and the dive master did not surface from the dive. They were retrieved from inside the wreck on July 18 and 29 respectively.
NOTE: The drowned HK diver was seen to turn around back in, after which the US diver went after him. This was reported by the "surviving" diver.
- http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-389702.html
Two Filippino divers drowned whilst diving at "Twin rocks". A female diver shot to the surface from 18 mtr, after 28 mtr dive, and died in hospital. Her male companion was found the next day. He still had air in his tank, regulator was out of his mouth. Conditions were said to be fine.
- http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/accidents-incidents/383280-diving-accident-anilao-2.html
_ http://malaysianunderwater.com/smff/accidents-and-incidents/two-divers-found-dead-in-anilao/
A Japanese diver got separated from his instructor/buddy on ascent from around 30 mtr. The instructor stated he "suddenly did not notice him anymore", went down and searched until he ran low on air. Further searches that day were unsuccessful.
The Japanese diver's body was found the following day, not far from where was last seen at a depth of about 80 mtr.
NOTE: The drowned diver only arrived an hour before this dive. Reports state it was a "fun dive".
- http://scubasg.com/index.php?topic=2331.0
A local diver surfaced and complained of feeling unwell. Troubles with breathing was next, and emergency services were contacted.
The diver was pronounced dead in the hospital.
A male, Hong Kong, diver (45) went missing on a dive. He was found 5 days later, close to where he was seen last.
NOTE: he was part of a 3 pax-"buddy-team".
A male diver (44) drowned whilst on a night dive, catching fish/spearfishing. He was a certified dive instructor.
Two Hong Kong divers (male, 44 and female, 28) drowned whilst diving near Mactan Island, Cebu.
A female, Hong Kong, diver got drawn into, and killed, by propeller (of the dive boat). The Marine Department published a full report almost a year later.
Read the report and make your own conclusion. To me it seems that two issues that played a role, still are a problem now, and probably will for a while. These issues are: "divers being towed back to the dive boat by a "reversing' speedboat" and "the habit of boat operators to drop anchor as-close-as-they-can to the coral/shore to please the divers".
- http://asianuniverse.net/forums/Female_Diver_s_body_being_sliced_cut_by_ship_s_propeller_t93504.html
- http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/publication/pdf/mai080727_f.pdf