Local divers put skills to good use in rescue

THEY don’t get paid. They use their own equipment. They risk their lives to save other people’s lives.

Last week, local divers displayed the spirit of volunteerism again in the search-and-rescue operation following the sinking of m/v St. Thomas Aquinas off Talisay City, Cebu.

“What is important is we can help in our own way,” said Alfie Fernandez, 44, of Barangay Poblacion, Talisay City.

With 81 people still missing, he considered this maritime accident as one of the worst he encountered in his 20 years of diving.

Rope

Last Saturday, Fernandez was among the first to go down the site and put up a rope for divers to use in descending.

He told Sun.Star Cebu he saw bodies of passengers below.

“Wala na ko nakuyawan. Murag naanad na ta (I was not scared. I’m used to this job),” he said.

He was 14 and working as a junior life guard when he first saw a cadaver in the water.

He was shaken.

Trainings

Three decades later, Fernandez became a diving instructor, giving trainings in the different parts of the country.

He is also the vice president of Sea Knights, a faith-inspired, service-oriented organization that envisions sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.

Fernandez also helps clear waters of debris after ship collisions.

Yesterday, local divers were not allowed to go down to the ship anymore by Coast Guard and Philippine Navy.

“They are only looking after our safety,” Fernandez said.

Strong currents

Due to the strong currents, Lavilla Chua of Barangay Labangon, Cebu City wasn’t able to dive. She wanted to help the families of the missing passengers.

“We were also not allowed to be there as much as I wanted to,” said Chua, who owns a diving shop in Lapu-Lapu City.

She graduated from a Medical Technology Course and became a full-time diver.

As of yesterday, 95 divers were listed as responders in the rescue operation.

They are from Acert, PLDT Smart, Msboat,, Cevsar, Rescue 5, Odrrem, Sea Knights, PRC, Bantay Dagat, Cebu City Disaster and Talisay City Aquanauts.

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