for the record.

[resting rifleman]

the only words that i spoke to a certain journalist earlier this summer were as follows,
mca bloke: this chap is out with us today from ***** mag can he get a picture of you and i chatting?
me: sure, how do! i had a comrade of yours out a few weeks ago, ***** ******!
journo: oh yes i know him, nice bloke!
click click click thanks
me: bye then!
mca bloke: cheers mike, is pete about?
me: yep, in the shop!

now where they got the rest of it from is lost on me, so i would just like to state
the killer prawn is still called the killer prawn
i have never asked to look at someones log book. if they have booked to do a dive they know what they are up for!
i am not nor have i any desire to be the dive police.
i do have a box on the boat log sheet asking divers to state thier qualification and i'm sure divers wouldnt tell porkys, would they?
when divers get on the boat they are aware of the depth and tide state of the dive they are booked on and then briefed according to the conditions on the day.
kieth L and others who gave me advice, with regards this subject a little while ago, I KEPT THE FAITH! it appears you dont even have to talk to em!

all these comments are my own personal thoughts on the subject and should not be attributed to anyone but me.
mike.

BLOODY GOOD PIC OF THE PRAWN THOUGH.
rant over.

[Lou]

I read that article - it was appalling.

I wonder if the MCA guy actually said what he was reported to have done? If he did I would expect him to get a professional slapping. I can understand him making safety points, but unless he can back up his repeated claiims that PADI divers are to blame for most of the incidents boat skippers see, I would expect him to receive a stern letter from PADI and an ear-twisting from his seniors.

The whole impact of the article was lost through his comments.

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by Lou

I read that article - it was appalling.

I agree with what your saying lou, but be honest it did make a good read.

Originally Posted by Lou

I wonder if the MCA guy actually said what he was reported to have done?

Probably, << Knowing both Mr Towe & the press >>

Originally Posted by Lou

But unless he can back up his repeated claiims that PADI divers are to blame for most of the incidents boat skippers see, I would expect him to receive a stern letter from PADI and an ear-twisting from his seniors.

It's the number game...... Remember a few years back when SS Stoney was having all that bad press about divers diving there.... ?

Look at the number of divers that dive there during a course of a week....

I for one as a charter skipper, can say that 91 % of the divers i have let plop in over the side are PADI trained, followed by the SAA,BSAC & HSE.

So, If i was to be expected to have a accident , then surely the odds are it will be a PADI trained one.....

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by Lou

I read that article - it was appalling.

I wonder if the MCA guy actually said what he was reported to have done? If he did I would expect him to get a professional slapping. I can understand him making safety points, but unless he can back up his repeated claiims that PADI divers are to blame for most of the incidents boat skippers see, I would expect him to receive a stern letter from PADI and an ear-twisting from his seniors.

The whole impact of the article was lost through his comments.

I think the word 'Ignorance' springs to mind again, with relation to the MCA chap.

Further to that, he needs to provide hard evidence if he's going to start bad mouthing anyone before they have a chance to respond. It's just unprofessional.

[SoggyFox]

Where is the offending article?

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by resting rifleman

i have never asked to look at someones log book. if they have booked to do a dive they know what they are up for!
i am not nor have i any desire to be the dive police.

Likewise, Like i have stated to THEM " I'm a skipper not a secretary ".

Anyhow, how can i be a judge of someones diving just from thier log book and take some kind of legal stand on it.... ? I can't and won't.

You can tell a good diver by the way they kit up , any how.

Originally Posted by resting rifleman

i do have a box on the boat log sheet asking divers to state thier qualification and i'm sure divers wouldnt tell porkys, would they?

I find that qualifications is just to ensure they have done a course, THAT doesn't make them bloody good experienced divers....... Some are

It's the just passed my driving test , again.

DP's = Diver porkies,,,,,,,

" I did 50 mts last week ? ". " Yeah, i did the ****** wreck yesterday off Eastbourne and got 67 mts by the bow "

Andy the Skipper retires to wheel house shaking his head, as he knows the skipper had cancelled the dive due to gale force winds.....

Originally Posted by resting rifleman

BLOODY GOOD PIC OF THE PRAWN THOUGH.

Mike, but the pic of you in ya wellies, flat cap ..... really does make you look like a farm hand on a Yorkie pig farm....


PETE.... Ring me about Mike wearing a sailors uniform.

Originally Posted by Lou

I read that article - it was appalling.

I agree with what your saying lou, but be honest it did make a good read.

Originally Posted by Lou

I wonder if the MCA guy actually said what he was reported to have done?

Probably, << Knowing both Mr Towe & the press >>

Originally Posted by Lou

But unless he can back up his repeated claiims that PADI divers are to blame for most of the incidents boat skippers see, I would expect him to receive a stern letter from PADI and an ear-twisting from his seniors.

It's the number game...... Remember a few years back when SS Stoney was having all that bad press about divers diving there.... ?

Look at the number of divers that dive there during a course of a week....

I for one as a charter skipper, can say that 91 % of the divers i have let plop in over the side are PADI trained, followed by the SAA,BSAC & HSE.

So, If i was to be expected to have a accident , then surely the odds are it will be a PADI trained one.....

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by SoggyFox

Where is the offending article?

DIVER mag page 30 onwards .....

[Fathoms Down]

Originally Posted by resting rifleman

now where they got the rest of it from is lost on me,

Ooh, looks like you should, in best YD style, DEMAND AN APPOLOGY!!!

[Lou]

I really didn't think it was a good read. There was a prime opportunity by the MCA to make an important point and to educate, and all it came across as was a bunch of andrenalin junkies agency bashing.

Their response to an incident free day - "boring"
PADI - "dive skippers will tell you that most incidents seem to involve PADI divers" (quoted from memory so the actual words may be slightly incorrect by the meaning is not)
Training - "standards have dropped".

No meaningful analysis or discussion of accident trends or causes. They insinuated that commercial skippers avoided them as if they had something to hide as well! How do you like that intimation, Andy?

I was very disappointed with Diver mag on this occasion.

[Gavin Yates]

I haven't read the offending article however it is usual journalistic good practice that if you carry criticism of an organisation you go to them for a chance of rebuttal.