UPDATE: Cause of death of boat captain revealed
BVI News Staff - Thursday, January 5th, 2012 at 9:33 AM
A Moorings Catamaran. * Photo credit: moorings.com
The medical examiner’s report says that the South African boat captain who died when he was trying to retrieve a camera that fell into the sea died from drowning.
Zac Van Der Merwe, 27, was the captain of a Moorings charter that was taking six guests on a five-day cruise and the area at Norman Island where the incident happened was his first stop.
This was the first trip out to sea for Merwe who had been working with the charter company for about two weeks.
Phil Aspinall of Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) told BVI News that they responded to a ‘May Day’ call for help on the VHF Radio at about 8:13 that morning.
Aspinall said a local dive company was the first to reach the scene and retrieved the man’s body from 70 feet of water.
Copyright 2012 BVI News, Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
38 Comments
Disclaimer: BVI News and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the comments below or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any public forum. All comments posted on BVINews.com reflect the views and opinions of the commentators and not that of the management and staff. Click here for our full comment/user policy/ agreement.
I’ve read some of the comments below and it really makes me sad that people have turned a death into a black/white thing and other stupid nonsense. A person lost their life and we should be offering condolences and not criticism. His friends and family are most likely reading this article and are probably appalled at the negative comments directed at their loved one. The man is gone and not able to defend himself and his actions that lead to his death so let’s offer compassionate responses and let him rest in peace.
This is sad but people take it easy …..the ngative comments is only to get a reaction majority of the individuals don’t even mean what they are writing.
My deepest sympathies to the family…..i know what it is like to loose someone to the sea…i see many people refrencing his abilities as a free diver…..but the ocean is no joke and should be held with respect doing such activities should nver be done without someone else around.God rest his soul.
Unfortunately an accident happened you may say he was stupid but he was doing what he loves most, apart from being a captain he was a diver and a free diver the depth has not been his first. He was an inspiration to everyone and a gift of life that has now been taken and will be missed to the depths of the earth from everyone he has touched with his cheeky smile and strength to live life to the full,
he was a friend… all my sympathy to the family… he wasnt a tourist he was the captain, and very good diver and free diver, RIP
He was a friend of mine, he wasnt a tourist, he was the captain of the boat…all my sympathy for the family
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
“Rally Sad”
It is VERY sad that you are such an idiot racist as to have to mention a persons skin color in your comment.
He was a great person and would of risked his life for anyone know matter if you was black or white he wouldn’t of cared for the colour of your skin…. maybe and i hope we learn from him
UUMMMM……there is no way to comment on such a stupid statement…you racist moron.
If I were you I would look at the number of dislikes your comment received and then figure out how many spelling and grammar mistakes you made in your comment and NEVER comment again.
@okokoko, This is a really unfortuntate and sad incident and this is the only thing you could find to say. What kind of person are you???
My sympathies to the family, friends and coworkers of this gentleman.
I can bet my last dollar, no black man was going to dive in after any camera or anything for that matter.
“No Sir”
Please read my comment to “Rally Sad” what is wrong with you small minded people and this black and white thing
I’m sadden by such news of one who lost his life so sudden and easily over something that fell overboard, but trust me I’ve been on the sea from 1979 to this date, lost many valuable items along the way but never once tried to recover those that drops in deep water where bottom is not visible. If he had indeed recover the cam, it probably would be damaged beyond repairs….what was he thinking??? or maybe it was his time.???
He was a freediver it was his passion and love. may god be with him
R.I.P you will be miss at work can not belive you gone
B not all VIRGIN ISLANDERS are nice to TOURIST, that is an under statement.However this captain was from outside the Virgin Islands.
I know that we BVIslanders have to be nice to these tourist..But it does require you to jump over for a camera..Now instead of the camera lost for life this captain family going to be put in pain…My sympathy to this fam!!!.. Please be wise BVI ppl
I hope the owner for the camera will consider giving the family some assistance to bury the body. Just saying!
Force? You read that he was forced? Where does it say this? My understanding from my reading is that a camera fell into the water and the young captain went in after it. Again where did it say he was forced?
To his family my deepest condolences. To everyone else show some respect. A life was lost.
PEOPLE ITS THE CAPTAIN NOT A TOURIST, SOMEONE CAMERA DROP OVER BOARD AND HE PLAYING HERO DIVE OVER AFTER IT WOOOW I WONDER IF THE OWNER OF THAT CAMERA FELT RITE ABOUT NOW , THAT CAMERA WAS THAT IMPORTANTS TO LOOSE A LIFE WOOW
jump in water to save a camera omg this is crazy!! wow sad very sad!
If we place LIFE GUARDS in the Virgin Islands all where TOURIST or residence frequent.We will have to hire hundreds, that is impossible.No LIFE GUARD could save this person life, this was a poor judgement on this man part which turn out to be fatal.Accidents do happen and will always do, you could never be to careful when it comes to the sea.it is very sad.
Don’t you all read and understand he was a captain with Moorings Fleet not a tourist.
some people are unreasonable. everything bvinews people try to jump on it and victimise the editor while the other sites get away with short of murder! thanks for informing us bvinews sheesh
My heart goes out to the family. To die so young trying to help retrieve a camera, just some material thing – what a shame.
He’s not a tourist… He’s a captain with the Moorings fleet.
See, bvi news need real information..
Swain Jr please give us a chance. From time to time information changes. The Police did receive prelim info that the deceased was a tourist but further information revealed he is a charter boat captain, which is now reflected in our updated report. Also the deceased is not from the BVI or the Caribbean. CNN and other large news networks always give updated and new information. It is the norm in news reporting.
@ Swain Jr, please stop being so ungreatful learn to appreciate and give credit where it is due expecially since you are relying on this medium to get your news.Like Admn stated this is the nature of the news business to report a story as it happens and correct info as it becomes available. Thanks Admn, I am a BV Islander who lives on the US mainland get my update via facebook and follow up online, much much appreciate your excellent reporting.
Thanks for the encouragement.
how sad – to come all this way, probably saved for years for a vacation like this. And to end so horribly, especially for his family. RIP
DAMNNN… another tourist
We need to have some life guards around this place or something
U CAN’T READ HUH?????????
Post a Comment