Skin diver loses foot

r ferriggi

May 27th 2009, 08:31

I do not have any idea about the dynamics of this accident.

All i can think of i that in Sicily, the water police were very strict.

heavy fines and confiscations.

can we itroduce harsher penalties for infringements??

and can the speeding distance from shore be increased??

Joseph E Briffa

May 26th 2009, 18:44

I CAN'T HELP NOTICING IN THIS BLOG THE LAID-BACK ATTITUDE OF MOST MALTESE. THESE EXPECT OTHERS TO IDENTIFY THE BOAT TO REPORT TO THE POLICE AND TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTION SO THEY FEEL SAFE WHEN THEY ARE IN THE SEA, WHY DON'T THEY ACT THEMSELVES. BOATS HAVE A NUMBER, TODAY EVERYBODY HAS MOBILE PHONES WITH CAMERAS. SO ALL ONE NEEDS TO DO IS TAKE THE NUMBER OF THE OFFENDING CRAFT, TAKE A PIC OR TWO AND GO TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION AND MAKE YOUR REPORT. WAKE UP AND DO SOMETHING.

Carmel Saliba

May 26th 2009, 18:19

Do boat drivers need a license to use a boat in Malta? If yes. Are these ever checked?

Why in our roads a person need to get a license at the age of 18 and then in the sea one can sea children under 14 dring boats? Who will be responsible in case of accident?

In the reported case we have to wait for the police investigations but the victim is already found. He is Mr Bonavia. Instead of enjoying his swim he found himself in Mater Dei Hospital.

Please control this kind of driving abuse at sea.

Mark Grech

May 26th 2009, 16:44

Summer will not take our careless driving to the sea as well. So it will be dangerous both on land as well as in water!

Veronica Busuttil

May 26th 2009, 16:29

I am very close friend of Mr Bonavia, and cause of his immediate courageous skilled tactics that he survived this awful accident which saved his own life .Thank God for Mr Bonavia quick reaction that he dived under the water as soon as he saw the speed boat or definitely he would not have survived this ordeal. This accident could have had much more serious consequences and two lifes could have been lost.
The media should give a full version of the accident not just part of it as Mr Bonavia and his buddy were diving close to their dingy ( which this was not mentioned at all), the speed boat driver should have kept his distance from their diving boat apart from reducing speed.
I sincerely wish Louis Bonavia a speedy recovery and great courage in these difficult moments .

J Oatmon

May 26th 2009, 15:41

I do not recall ever seeing a boat owner/driver being prosecuted in Malta for dangerous driving or endangering life, and no boats confiscated for this either.

And of course a five year old can drive a boat legally, since no licence is needed.

So realistically what can you expect - obedience to the law - fat chance!

c.bonett

May 26th 2009, 13:16

Now that the swimming season and the sea-craft racing close to shore will soon open, the next accident to happen after the Gozo one will be at Xemxija Bay. The Maritime Authority and the A.L.E. should make the owners of those large fish farm nets right in the middle of the bay between the Barracuda pitch and the Fekruna Restaurant on the other side of the bay BE REMOVED A.S.A.P. as there is very little space between them and the shore for both water-craft and swimmers to pass through and swim in a safe area at the same time. Soon the water polo season will start too and for sure, it will be the next area for the next accident to happen. Lets not leave it to be too late.

Mark Camilleri

May 26th 2009, 13:11

@Charles Sammut

Irrelevant if a buoy was used or not, I am already seeing many boats passing at high speeds close to shore or in bays and nothing is being done to stop these people. I agree with joe grima about cameras being installed, but I'll be amused if it ever happened.

Charles Sammut

May 26th 2009, 12:22

Why don't we let the magisterial inquiry conclude its findings before everyone jumps to conclusions. The article does not say whether a divers' buoy was used or how far out at sea they were.

Joe Grima (Brussels)

May 26th 2009, 11:35

I feel sorry for Mr Bonavia, and I hope he gets justice. Having the same pastime for over 40 years, I have had many close shaves! It seems that when someone is behind a wheel, he feels all-powerful.
What use is the diver's warning float, if most boat drivers don't give a hoot? Some nasty experiences I had were when boats zoomed by between the float any myself!!! I once was even towed for a distance, as a passing boat got entangled in the float cord.
Jetskis are even worse, as with all the spray, the driver can hardly see forward.
Quite a few boat or jetski owners are more interested in showing off, rather than enjoying a day out. They zoom just a few meters from the shore, so that even the short sighted can appreciate their skills.
What about lifeguards with cameras? It would be better for lifeguards to 'prevent' an accident, rather than act 'after' it happens.

Ramon Casha

May 26th 2009, 10:49

I hope that the owner of the boat was identified.

Mark Camilleri

May 26th 2009, 09:37

Boat season has started and one can already see powerful seacraft passing a few meteres off shore. Sometimes even with patrol boats present. Last year I was lucky that I managed to dive in time while the boat passed exactly on top of me and only after he passed over my buoy that he realised and reduced speed, This was only 40 meteres off shore !!!

If the authorities are not going to enforce the law I'm sure we are going to see more of these accidents.