MIAMI, Florida (18 Oct 2001) -- Amid increasing allegations that Peter Hughes Diving Inc. failed to respond prudently to the danger of an oncoming Category 4 hurricane, the company is now locked in an ugly battle with angry customers who are demanding full refunds for trips booked aboard the Wave Dancer. Nineteen passengers and crew died when Hurricane Iris capsized the Wave Dancer on October 8 in Belize. Although Peter Hughes Diving refuses to comment on either the accident or its refund policy, CDNN learned that the company, as a matter of policy, refuses to reimburse guests for services the company is unable to provide due to weather disturbances. According to the Peter Hughes Diving web site, "We will NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT CAUSED BY REASONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL. In the event that the it is necessary for Peter Hughes Diving, Inc. to cancel or interrupt a charter due to weather or any "Act of God" which is beyond our control, there will be no refund or credit issued." Divers who book with the company are also required to sign a waiver relinquishing all rights to claim damages caused by the negligence of Peter Hughes Diving Inc. or its staff. | | In the worst single accident in the history of recreational scuba diving, 20 people died when the Wave Dancer capsized in Belize. Although the Aggressor Fleet maintains similar policies, other live-aboard operators CDNN interviewed stated that they reimburse guests when bad weather forces trip cancellations or full day cancellations. One leading Caribbean operator does not schedule trips for seven weeks during hurricane season. "Peter Hughes has a serious image problem after what happened in Belize," one frustrated customer told CDNN. "Refusing to reimburse customers may be legal but it's bad business and therefore stupid. He'll lose a lot more from clients who take their business elsewhere than from reimbursing those who want refunds." © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
