South Texas Freedivers Report 5-12-07

[T.Scott]

South Texas Freedivers Cesar, Ken, Don, Alex and Scott made a trip to a rig off South Padre Island some 17 miles from shore. The first couple rigs had poor vis., so we kept moving until we found one replete with red snapper. Vis. was 50+. Most of the snappers were small, but larger ones were still shallow at 30-40 feet.

[BruCrw2]

Good to see people diving the South Padre Island area. Keep it up!!

[adriangarz1206]

We need to make sure that we take pics in the water, there was so many fish. I cant seem to forget the scuba diver that was yelling for his life at the first rig. I wonder how he got so far from the charter boat (american diving), did he see something, why was he so freaked out. The words I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE IT KEEPS RINGING IN MY EAR....I wonder if what we did was the correct thing to do???? To give you guys an idea of what happened a scuba diver was yelling for help some 300 yard behind the dive boat, when we turned the boat to try to help, the dive master yelled to stay away. We stuck around to make sure the diver in distress didnt go below and left the scene only when the dive master got to him.

[bug_power]

man sounds like some drama. GUess those guys don't buddy dive. Glad to see you guys slayed some fish though.

[JLittle44]

Way to go guys, nice catch! That water in the background looks awesome.

It sounds to me like you guys did the right thing. All eyes on the diver, and you made sure help was on the way. The guy could have freaked and drowned one of you. With pros already on the way to help, I think it was the right decision.

[Mako Mike]

You watch that most recent deadliest catch where the Time Bandit snatched another boats crewman out of the water after he had fallen overboard? It never hurts to keep a close eye on the situtation and ensure the right thing is done. Piss em off if you must, but there is never anything wrong with the redundant safety of a second set of eyes.

Thanks.

[T.Scott]

I called the dive shop to check on the guy on Monday. They said they hadn't heard what had happened, so the guy was most likely OK, or the guys at the store would have heard about it. So no heart attack or nothing serious, other than panic. Cesar, I'm with you in questioning if we did the right thing. We should have said screw you, and gotten closer to the guy. At any rate, he was OK or it would have been big news at the shop and on the island.
Back to the point of the thread....there are lots of fish and the diving is good at SPI. Jetty also looked good on the way in.