MELBOURNE, Australia (4 Sep 2006) -- An inexperienced scuba diver who drowned off Victoria's Mornington Peninsula was hurried into the water with two friends by the dive boat crew, a court has been told. Robert Grant, 32, died after experiencing problems with his rented diving equipment on a trip out of Portsea in January 2004. Melbourne Magistrates Court was told today Mr Grant, a debt recovery service account manager from Clayton, had struggled to submerge himself while practising off Portsea pier as he and his friends waited to join the charter boat. After eventually setting off for their intended dive sites – including one called Portsea Hole – Mr Grant and friends Adam Duncan and Martin Bates were rushed into the water because of a limited timeframe and optimum diving conditions, the court heard. "When we arrived at Portsea Hole, we were told we had to get into the water straight away," Mr Duncan said, adding he and his friends were not given a chance to do a final check of their dive gear. "The boat captain made it particularly clear that we had to get into the water extremely quickly because of the conditions." While Mr Duncan and Mr Bates eased into the water, Mr Grant was seen struggling with his mask, the court heard. "I realised Robert did not have his mask on and could see one of the dive instructors yelling at him to put it on," Mr Bates told the court. Mr Grant then disappeared from view and Mr Bates said he only saw two or three sets of bubbles but no sign of his friend. | | Melbourne Diving Services faces a $250,000 maximum fine if convicted. Moments later, Mr Grant was pulled from under the water and taken ashore but could not be revived. Melbourne Diving Services, which is being prosecuted by the Victorian Workcover Authority, faces one charge of failing to ensure the care of people other than its employees under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985, but has not yet been required to enter a plea. The committal hearing before magistrate Charles Rozencwajg continues. SCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
