On March 2, around midday, a diver named Shannon witnessed two men in distress while he was travelling on a Rottnest Fast Ferry, approximately two nautical miles from the shore. The pair had reportedly been left behind during a dive organised by the Perth Diving Academy (PDA) based at Hillarys Boat Harbour. Shannon immediately alerted the captain of the ferry, leading to a rescue operation to retrieve the divers.
Shannon, an experienced diver with 15 years in the field, noted that the men had no visible surface marker buoys, which are essential for ensuring safety and visibility to avoid potential accidents with nearby boats. His concern was heightened when he observed that one of the divers had a dive slate, an item typically reserved for instructors when teaching, raising questions about their qualifications and safety.
The first diver was quickly brought onboard the ferry, while the second was retrieved by a PDA vessel after being alerted by the ferry crew. It’s reported that the turnaround for the rescue took about ten minutes after spotting the divers, but they were not visible until then.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is currently investigating the incident, indicating a commitment to maintaining safety standards within commercial vessels. AMSA stated that any incidents involving passengers must be reported and that strict action would follow if any safety regulations were violated. One of the divers required hospital treatment post-rescue, with Shannon noting that he appeared worn out upon boarding the ferry.
Perth Diving Academy has refrained from commenting while the investigation is ongoing, and AMSA officials inspected their boat and interviewed the company’s director, Troy Lane, shortly after the incident. Marine safety regulations stipulate a requirement for regulated commercial vessels to submit incident alerts within four hours and comprehensive reports within three days. AMSA has not yet disclosed details regarding who first alerted them to the situation but reiterated their readiness to enforce regulations to ensure passenger safety.