Divernet News, dateline 30 December 2005
SBS diver's widow to sue Government
The widow of a Special Boat Service commander who died while on exercise in a six-seat mini-submarine is suing the Ministry of Defence for damages over his death.
Belinda van der Horst is likely to claim that Lt-Col Richard van der Horst, 38, should not have been allowed to dive. According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, grounds for the claim would be that he was unfamiliar with equipment and had arrived without his diving qualifications, which should have been inspected even though he was a diving instructor.
During the exercise in March 2005 off Narvik in Norway, Lt-Col van der Horst failed to emerge with other divers from a Swimmer Delivery Vehicle, which allows SBS commandos to approach shore as divers. The subs carry a pilot and navigator, and four operatives in an aft compartment.
Lt-Col van der Horst was at the back of the divers' section. When it was realised that he had not exited, divers went back into the sub to free him. He was recovered from the sea unconscious and died after a week on life support.
Related links
SBS commander dies in training accident
News Index Page
|
 |
Snakes alive!
Spectacular footage of sea snakes hunting in the coral reefs of the Banda Sea, Indonesia, will be among the underwater action in the second helping of the BBC documentary Planet Earth.
6 October 2006
Hoax diver escapes prosecution
The Channel Islands diver who set off a three-day £250,000 air and sea search after faking a diving accident in September has avoided facing a criminal prosecution, according to a report in the Guernsey Press & Star.
5 October 2006
Octopush worlds in UK
Britain has hosted a successful Underwater Hockey World Championships in Sheffield.
5 October 2006
Walk, paddle or hop for the MCS
The Marine Conservation Society has launched an imaginative fundraising programme - by offering people a near-infinite choice of sponsored journeys to undertake.
3 October 2006
MCS fish guide
The Marine Conservation Society has updated its online guide to buying fish in an eco-friendly way.
3 October 2006
1000th DCI patient for DDRC
Plymouth's Diving Diseases Research Centre treated its 1000th diver for decompression sickness in late September.
29 September 2006
Extended protection for Cornish wreck
The wreck of the St Anthony, near Helston in South Cornwall, has been redesignated so that a bigger protected area will be out of bounds to divers.
29 September 2006
Euro shark group launched
The Shark Alliance is a new conglomerate of conservation organisations, intent on pushing for more effective shark protection measures in Europe.
28 September 2006
|
|
A Cocoon Lady BCD from Ralf Tech worth £449.
Click here to register for your free copy of Divernet Xtra.
Latest dive holiday offers
Compare the most up-to-the-minute holiday deals and check out the best value destinations
Spaces on dive boats
Fancy a UK dive? Our skippers listing gives you access to spaces on charter boats around the country.
Personal ads
If you have dive kit to sell, or fancy picking up a second hand bargain, check out our FREE personal ads service here
Diver tests
Read the review before you buy - it could help you to avoid an expensive mistake
Forums
Chat to other divers about all diving-related matters here
Careers and opportunities
If you're looking to make diving a bigger part of your life, check out our Careers page.
|
