PHUKET, Thailand (28 May 2009) — An American tourist is missing and presumed dead after yet another tragic accident involving a scuba diving liveaboard based in Phuket, Thailand. Owners of the World Win Dive and Sail Co Ltd said their Sampai Jumpa liveaboard was hit on May 24 by a large commercial fishing vessel during a dive trip from Phuket to Koh Tao. The fishing vessel did not stop after the collision. The owners of the liveaboard said the group was heading to Langkawi, Singapore and then on to Tioman in Malaysia. Three Thai boat crew and an Irish dive guide were all rescued by another fishing boat, however, American tourist, Kenneth Wayne, 62, is still missing and presumed dead. The rescued include Irishman James Edward, 27, and Thais Anon, 44, Papop, 33, and Butsara Tom Tantak, 31. Authorities said Edward and Butsara suffered injuries that required hospitalization. District Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency chief Commander Wan Mat Wan Abdullah said SAR operations for Wayne had to be called off due to bad weather. "Twelve divers from the Royal Malaysian Navy mounted the search and rescue operation along with 50 personnel from the Marine Operations Force and MMEA," he said. "The operation yesterday was increased to a 10 sq km area around the site of the collision." Search officials told CDNN the search has shifted from a rescue to a recovery mission. | 
