As a diver since 1971, if the four people that cut their dive short and simply took off without the other 6 and I had been one of them, I truly once rescued would go find those four F_— A__— and would literally beat the living S__— out of each one of them, whether they be man or woman. Having dove with many foreigners, I will beat you anything that they were "FRENCH." No excuse no way. I think the six divers should go find them, and beat them to death with baseball bats. Seriously, they deserve to die, just like what they intended for the six poor bastards they left to die on the high seas. I am very thankful and glad the six other divers were found safe. Please somebody--publish the names of the SOBs that left the six to die, because other divers in the world NEED to know their names.

Something does not make sense here. I have done a lot of diving in my life and unless there are very strong currents in the area I do not see how these divers got accidentally separated from their boat. The fact that the other four divers made it back to the boat safely makes me even more suspicious. They went in the water at 4:30pm and were found at 10:40pm eleven miles from where they went in. I can see wind and waves possibly pushing them that far in that length of time floating on the surface. That said, while under water the wind and waves would have little effect once you got to a decent depth. With 3 meter waves the effect of the waves is pretty well gone at a depth of 9 meters (3 times the wave height). Unless there were strong currents or they intentionally were swimming in just one direction at a fairly fast pace, they should not have surfaced too far from the boat at the end of their dive. Most sport dives would have you under water for no more than an hour or so and possibly much less depending on the depth you are diving to. I realize that with 3 meter waves it can be tough to spot a small boat even at relatively close distances while you are in the water, but that would not explain why the people on the boat could not spot the divers. I think that the four people who made it back onto the boat have a lot of explaining to do about how they ended up leaving the rest of their dive party behind.

JS in SD......Guess you have never been diving in ocean currents. Next time you are in Hawaii ask someone about the Moliki Express.

JS - I cut my teeth diving in the Open Ocean or Blue Water while serving in the Coast Guard and you are correct in shallow water or close to land dives but in Blue Water it is quiet easy to get separated. Generally on drift dives the group stays together with a lanyard and a buoy or some sort of system to basically follow the current.

That's truly the million dollar question isn't it?

To say he skipped out on them would be an understatement.

Maybe the helper with the white hat and long-sleeved red shirt has an answer, but then again ....

zapper45701......Many other areas of the world are not Disney World. Americans expect everyone in the world to be very concerned about them and their well being, that is just not the case.

I don't think they were Americans.

MM--If anyone of any nationality pays for a service, they should expect to get that service, especially if their lives depend on it. An "Oh gee, too bad, so sad," doesn't cut it. This wasn't Disney World, this was life and death. I'm certainly glad that you are not the captain on my boat. Thankfully, other captains aren't quite as indifferent, and these folks were saved. (PS--I have no idea of the nationality, race, political leanings, or religion of those folks abandoned at sea. It's was just wrong to sail off without them.)

If the divers were unaffected by wind and waves at depth, wouldn't it be logical that the boat was pushed away from their location?

bajaboy, help me understand something here. I know NOTHING about diving (have never done it, and won't, a fear). Wouldn't the boat only be "pushed away" if there WERE wind and waves at depth?

And this has what to do with anything, much less this article? Answer: NOTHING!!

I would love to one day look at a comment thread on an article that has nothing whatsoever to do with politics and not find off topic BS about.....politics.

It's not about politics, GET OVER IT!!

Goddamn you're a whiney beeeotch Hoodie.

RichMJones@rcn.com You, sir (not even sure you deserve that respect), are an idiot. Please, take your political agenda (or attempts at sounding 'intelligent') elsewhere. Soon enough, the flagging and ignoring systems on the Internet will help the better of us posters put an end to the worst of us (you).

I'm not a diver, so why would they start at 4:30 PM, and rely on the obligations of strangers? Most of the world doesn't experience the laziness of daylight time so that's two hours of useful light in perfect conditions.

And I'm not being a smartass - you do have some sensible positions.

Cheetah - You are correct, they are in the Southern Hemisphere and so therefore sunset was imminent. My guess is that they were doing a night dive. Leave at 4:30, drop in a little after 5:00, and it gets dark as you go down. There are all sorts of creatures that come out at night, such as basket shrimp, toadfish, puffers. Fortunately, people take more dive lights on a night dive, including small strobes that attach to the tank so that you can see each other under water.

You are spot on with the critters seen during night dives Denny. Having lived/taught diving there for a couple of years what I think happened was the weather was bad during the morning and they held off heading out there for a few hours then decided it was a go. With that kind of swell it would have been slow-going to begin with and in order for them to get the two dives in, with a good surface interval they found themselves doing the second dive that late in the day. Night dives were never done at this site (Sanur, Amed or Tulamben were the night dive sites) because getting back in the dark is difficult; the outriggers don't have navigation of any kind. Also, the currents at this site are mind-blowing and even the Balinese aren't that relaxed.

Thanks, I didn't think of that. I suppose I've been run down by a spate of high adventurers who seem to expect to call time and be rescued - there's a risk/benefit equation that becomes unreasonably skewed.

Americans know much about alot of things...guess that comes from having done almost everything there is to do that a human being can do on this planet. I place scuba diving low on the priority list...especially below such achievements as space-walking and humans landing on other planetoids. No doubt one reason so many other nations lack the ability of the american culture is because they are enamored of the american banking system controlled by such people as themselves....namely greedy rightwing morons who rob others and have the depth of intellect commensurate with a plate of urine.

Americans know much about alot of things...

Not anymore.

Americans havent made any achievements for the past 40+ years. I guess thats what happens when you replace teaching science and mathematics with gay sex and global warming.

But as a diver for many years, you can always count on diving accidents to involve Americans...Happens every single accident! 100%

Gypsy

I suspect your attitude is due to the "arrogance" of Americans; well we are at times arrogant, especially when dealing with a pompouss ass...such as you. In the last 40+ years Americans have attained many spectacular achievements in science, technology, environmental, medicine, humanitarian, and artistic fields. It is people such as you"Gypsy" that are making great strides in American society's beginning to consider a foreign policy of separatism from the rest of the "global community"...especially our money...and our technology...and our protection...and our medical mercy trips...and our humanitarian efforts....and our resources during your times of emergency....and ourefforts in trying to keep our economy afloat and others, as well. Maybe your country should repay us for the expenses we incurred freeing the world during WWI and WWII, only one country in the entire world has accomplished that. Oh well, why don't we fore gothe cost of WWII, and your nation merely repay us for the cost of rebuilding your little part of the world after WWII. Or how about you helping us in raising funds to fight terrorism. Or better yet, you should come to America and find the many families that have lost sons/daughters, brothers/sisters, uncles/aunts, and friends for the cause of freedom; even your freedom to spew anti-American sentiment in America; and thumb your nose at their sacrifice for others, or just say thanks.

I am sorry you have had such difficulties in dealing with Americans. Unfortunately, you probably have not met a truly average American. We are busy working to pay taxes earmarked for foreign economies, humanitarian efforts, and debt reduction. Most of us will never see Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, etc unless some idiot in one of those regions attempts world domination again. But, you won't have to worry about that, America will come to your aid and defend your right to be as pompous as your a** likes and you can spew your nonsensical rhetoric about the many flaws of America.

Ramen noodles would make a good base for the 'near death drinking' that certainly went on after hitting the shore...

We almost died...'have a drink'.....but, but...'have another drink'

It doesn't help that I have pneumonia at the moment, and a slightly nauseated stomach, but I'm having a hard time thinking they would be in any sort of condition to want to eat anything. Perhaps take in liquids, but rest would seem to be more appropriate.

I don't think it was in "gods plan" for you to be wasting time here online...oh wait...maybe it was....after all, he does need his "disciples" a.ka. recruiters working hard for him.

I guess everyone does need a lunatic to love.

Naw...it was Poseidon just having some fun by creating the waves and then arranging for the fishing boat captain to go that way and pick them up! Things get boring when you're eternal and omnipotent...gotta do something to liven things up, you know. Bet there weren't any people in the group who didn't believe in Poseidon...especially after 9pm.

Makes as much sense as your post, Floridaguy.

They are all atheists now, no god came to their aid, it was a bunch of Asians, doubt they believe in any judo Christian bs! There is no god!!

Okay, let's make a compromise. So, most of you here don't believe in "God". I'm willing to listen to you. Can you give me compelling evidence that He doesn't exist? I'll go even further than that in trying to reach a middle ground with you. After all, if two are arguing and one doesn't want to come to an agreement, than the other wins by default. Would you agree that Jesus Christ even existed, and that he WILLINGLY went to His grave to complete the scriptures written up His death?

testing...1....2....3