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Spearfisherman lost at the Fentons

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 2:09 pm
by Matt Flynn
A spearfisherman was lost at the Fenton Patches wrecks today, possibly on the Marchart.

I don't have any other information but can confirm that it was not Chad "BarraBeast" Clancy, who is well known on this forum.

No mentioning the deceased person's name until the official police release.

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 2:22 pm
by Pecheur
Hi there,

do you know how it happened?

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 2:47 pm
by Matt Flynn
I have no details. A very sad day for all concerned.

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 3:23 pm
by Matt Flynn
NTPFES Media Release Saturday April 24 2010

Diver dies off Darwin


A man has died while spearfishing on a wreck north of Darwin Harbour this morning.

NT Marine and Fisheries Unit received a report around 10am that a man had failed to surface after diving on the wreck of the Marchart 3 approximately 35km from Darwin Harbour.

An air and sea search was launched and members of the Territory Response Section were sent to assist the Marine and Fisheries Unit in the search.

Two off-duty police who were also diving at the wreck assisted in the search as did the Customs vessel Hold Fast Bay and a Careflight helicopter.

Police divers located the body of the 31-year-old man just after 1.30pm today. The body was recovered and taken back to Cullen Bay.

No further detail are available at this stage and police investigations into the man’s death are continuing.

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 3:36 pm
by harmsey
fark me!!!!!!!!!!!! :shock:

good to here beasty is ok. must admit when 2rods rang me this morning i had a very bad feeling in my gut when he told me that a spearo had gone missing :|

was just about to get back into the diving but the missus is dead against it now :|

31 is very young, too young

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 3:56 pm
by 2rods
A very sad day indeed.......31 is far to young. :cry:

I nearly ran off the road when I heard the report and the heart sank......but thank god beasty is ok...

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 8:00 pm
by punter
sheet, just logged in on fb and saw Paul's post. Thank God it wasn't Chad, but someone is hurting out there, much sympathy...

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 11:43 pm
by andrew.south
Ditto Punter terrible thing to happen condolencece to all concerned :-( :-(

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 7:52 am
by Myst
a very sad thing indeed, our deepest condolences to the family and friends for their loss... :-(

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 8:00 pm
by Whirly
I heard it on the news in Qld - when my radio alarm woke me up - sh1t myself for Chadwick, went strait and checked out Barrababe's facebook, hoping not to see condolence messages.

It's a dangerous game as we all know but a tragedy nonetheless.

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 7:32 am
by nomad
According to the paper he was found inside the wreck.
Even on scuba, Wreck diving is dangerous
Sad day for all concerned.

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:26 am
by Matt Flynn
I heard he wasn't found inside the wreck.

The wreck is 28m deep on a neap, about 20m to the top of the hull, and the wreck apparently can't be penetrated. The Marchart is a deep dive for free divers, and regardless of safety precautions there are risks.

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 1:48 pm
by Mud
So sad for this young man and his family.....the thoughts of me and my family are with you.

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 4:10 pm
by dodgyone
Sure was a shock when I heard about it from 2rods. I was just about to jump in for a spear at Tryall Rocks north of the Monte Bellos when my phone beeped. No deeper stuff for my for a bit. Thats a little close to home.

Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:17 am
by nomad
Just going what the paper reported.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/0 ... tnews.html

That sure is a deep dive fro free diving. No way I could ever do it.

We used to dive on the ‘Valiant’ nth of Sydney at 90’. There were several air pockets inside the wreck and we would often take a spare bottle down and empty it in the void to freshen the air just in case we needed it.