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Owner Of Dive Shop Where Tourists Drowned Speaks

Yesterday we reported about two tourists who drowned while snorkeling in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. They are 54 year old American National Roger Burger and an Italian national Zayihe Florencia. The tourists along with 5 others were on a tour with Tsunami Tour Adventures yesterday and headed to the reserve form some snorkeling. While doing so it is reported that the group began drifting due to the strong current. Burger and Florencia got carried away and later drowned.

It is a tremendous black eye for the company which has been in business for over 15 years. Today we spoke with the Manager of Tsunami Tours Adventures who told us as soon as he received the call yesterday he headed out to sea. Here's what he told Monica Bodden:

Julian Rosado-Manager
"When I went by the reserve after the notified me about what had happen. I went directly to the people from Hol Chan and I ask them about what was happening. The guy told me that they found one person that they said was missing. I ask if anybody went outside the reef to try to assist and they said no. I ask then where did they find the person and they said just a little bit ahead from the channel."

"I took it from there and I went a little bit more south of where they found the person and then I found the other person. As soon as I found the person I call right away and notified the boat driver and I told them to tell the Coast Guard and the park rangers for Hol Chan which was right there. They came very quick and put the man in the boat and took him to San Pedro."

Monica Bodden reporting
This is the vessel called Cyclone which transported the tourist to Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The tour left out at about 10:30 that morning.

What really happened out at sea is still being investigated - Rosado could only give us an account of what his tour guide and boat captain told him.

Julian Rosado-Manager
"From my understanding the tour guide was guiding the 7 passengers that he had in the boat. He said that he dive down to show something to the people but I guess when he dive up he said that the people was already drifting because of the current. The current was very strong, so actually it can happen to anybody."

"I never got into the water, but according to some of the other guides that were out there that was assisting, they said that current was very strong and that what cause the problem."

Monica Bodden
"Is that an area that you guys normally take tourists out, that exact spot?"

Julian Rosad-Manager
"Everybody goes in the same area. It just happened that the current was much stronger. That's why it probably happened."

Tsunami Tours Adventures has been in business for over 15 years and has worked with hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world. This is the first time the company has ever been faced with an accident such as this - where lives have been lost.

Julian Rosado-Manager
"We apologize to the people that died. We feel bad for what happened and we wish the best for them. We wish something like that never happen, but you know accidents do happen and nobody is perfect. We just have to take it from there and see what happen."

"We apologized about what happened out there. Like I said I wasn't there to see exactly what had happen but the minute they notified me I hurriedly went and try to assist. I even went all the way to San Pedro Poly Clinic and offered them my assistance."

"I didn't speak to the other persons because I didn't know how they would have reacted to me."

Today some of the tourists that were on the snorkeling tour yesterday returned to the office asking for a refund of their money, which was granted to them. They then took a flight out to the International airport - and left the country.

The incident is still under investigation. The company would like the public to know that the tour guide is certified.

Channel 7

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Twin tourist tragedy

Two tourists, an American and an Italian, drowned in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, near San Pedro, after they became separated from their snorkeling group, reportedly because of rough seas and strong currents.

Four tourists in all were separated from the main group of seven tourists who were on a tour of the reserve; two died and two were rescued. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. today, Tuesday, April 3.

One tourist was found midday, and the second tourist was found about a half hour later, at 1:10 p.m. Both were found in the Shark Ray Alley area of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

The survivors were taken for treatment at the San Pedro Poly Clinic for dehydration and other conditions, and were admitted for observation.

The bodies of the two victims were taken to the San Pedro Polyclinic Morgue. They will then be taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City, where an autopsy will be performed to confirm their cause of death.

Marcel Alamilla, tour guide, is captain of the boat, Cyclone, of Tsunami Tours of Caye Caulker, which took the seven tourists to the reserve. Besides the seven tourists, he had an assistant on board. A fisheries officer on Caye Caulker told Amandala that it was the strong waves and rough seas that displaced the four snorkelers over the reef.

He said that the group departed from Caye Caulker for the marine reserve in weather that was not optimal. He said that in the area there were opposing currents because the area was near the channel.

A current flows out, he said, and one flows in, and the currents are strong in both directions. The four who got separated were caught in the current that flowed out, which made it very difficult for them to swim in.

He said that if it was left up to him, the tour would not have gone out, because the seas were rough and the wind was strong, and the currents would be heavy in the area.

Reports are that during their struggle to come in, two of the tourists went under the water and did not resurface, while the next two struggled until they were rescued by Miguel Alamilla of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Miguel Alamilla said that he received a distress call around 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3, that four tourists from a group of seven had disappeared, and he immediately responded.

The Coast Guard and police were alerted. He arrived in time to see the first survivor struggling and barely making it. He jumped out of the boat and rescued her, and shortly after, the second survivor was spotted and was rescued.

Police have since detained the boat captain for an interview to determine exactly what led to the deaths of the two tourists.

Amandala

The one and only time I have ever had a near-drowing experience was on a snorkelling tour on Caye Caulker. I am not a strong swimmer and had a life 'belt' around me most times but was told in a certain spot I would not need it and had no reason to put it back on. Unfortunately the current took me and my eight year old son out to deeper waters and we couldn't get back. I have never felt panic like that in my life and was shouting for help when I couldn't keep my head above water any longer and another boat came and rescued us. That day is still so vivid that I have never gone snorkelling since. Why would the guide tell us it was ok, when there was a current? There is no panic I can imagine worse than being swept out by water and fighting a current to the point of exhaustion and 'knowing' you are about to drown. And having your child out of reach as he is being swept away as well.

Goshen man dies on family vacation

Goshen businessman and inventor Roger Burger drowned Tuesday while on a vacation in Belize with his wife and son.

Burger was one of two drowning victims from the same snorkeling party. An Italian woman also drowned. Burger, his wife Becky, and son, Zach, were part of a party of tourists who left Caye Caulker Tuesday morning to experience Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, one of Belize's top destinations for snorkelers and divers, according to the "San Pedro Sun," a Belize newspaper. According to the newspaper account, Burger, the Italian tourist and others were caught in rough seas and strong currents and separated from the group. Police rescued the other divers after receiving a distress call at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Two survivors were hospitalized with cuts and abrasions.

Burger will be remembered for his sense of humor and quiet intelligence, according to his friends.

Burger grew up in Goshen, the son of Martha and the late Marvin Burger. He was a graduate of Goshen High School in 1975 and of Rose Hulman University in Terre Haute.

He was involved in electronics sales and repairs and inventions over the years and most recently operated Inventure, an electronics engineering and manufacturing business on Goshen's north side. He was married to the former Becky McCall and they have one son, Zach.

Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman said he has known Burger for many years.

"We both grew up in the Goshen Church of the Brethren," Kauffman said. "I've known him from the days when we would hop freight trains. He was a pretty big cut-up when he was in school.

"But when he was in elementary and junior high, he was picking up old TV sets and electrical appliances and tearing them apart.

"Roger is going to be missed," Mayor Kauffman said. "It is a reminder of how fleeting life is."

"I would want people to know what a remarkable and intelligent man he was," said classmate Sharon Welsh. "He was a true life-long friend and fellow Kiwanian. He could make you laugh. He could bring joy to a room, because you wondered what he was going to say next."

"It deeply touches my heart to lose such a dear friend. It is such a loss to our community," Welsh said Wednesday. "I still can't believe it. I feel bad for his family. What a guy."

Another lifelong friend, Pastor Jim Schrock at First Baptist Church, said "we grew up together. I remember how we rode bikes along the railroad tracks south of town. It seems like yesterday, but it was probably 40 years ago."

"We were childhood friends. I have known him as long as I can remember. We probably started in Cub Scouts," Schrock said. "We had so much fun together. He just loved to have fun. He was the smartest guy I knew. He will be greatly missed.

"It is a real reminder that we don't have any guarantees of tomorrow," Schrock added.

Greg Keim, another Goshen classmate of Burger's, will also remember Burger for his sense of humor.

"He was master of ceremonies for our class's 25th reunion and he had everyone in stitches telling stories," Keim said. "Many were about the things he did while we were in school."

Brian Stutzman, who graduated from GHS with Burger, said he was shocked by the news.

"Roger was a great guy," Stutzman said. "He was very smart. He had the wherewithal that many guys don't. He had the world at his fingertips, but he was so modest. He had married Becky and they had things going so good."

David Daugherty, president of the Goshen Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber's leadership class would visit Inventure and Burger would speak to those involved in that activity.

"Roger did a great, great job with that. He will definitely be missed," Daughterty said.

"We are really in shock," said Daryl Hochstetler, an engineer at Inventure, when reached late Wednesday. He said he has been involved with Burger's companies for 18 years.

"Roger wanted to change lives outside and inside the business. He did that," Hochstetler said.

It was an unfortunate string of circumstances that lead to this tragedy. No one person is to blame. My condolences to friends and family.

JZB I do not know the whole story I understand your point, but it seems to me there is a lot of blame on all. Starting with the people who took there money , the capt or guide or both who took them out to the site .
And then used bad judgement to put them in the water .This is very sad
This should not have happened . .WE ALL FEEL BAD AND UPSET TO READ THIS
BUT THIS MUST NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN .JMHO.

This tragedy raises all kinds of emotions. It is natural to dwell on the things that went wrong and want to point fingers and find someone to blame. I would like to suggest that a fresh look at possible solutions.
It took me years to figure out why one dive (say at 9:00) would be clear/not clear and the next one (11:00) would be the opposite. When the tide is going out it sucks sands out with it, when coming in it brings clear water (people are just big pieces of sand - LOL). All the dive shops insist on going out on a schedule by the clock instead of by the tide. I will now only dive on an incoming tide. That would be a good regulation for snorkelers. Not only would it be safe it would be a lot prettier.
When I asked my dive shop why they have this rigid schedule their response was 'if we don't take them someone else will.'
One time when we got to Hol Chan there were so many boats I asked that we do Shark & Ray Alley first. We were the only ones there. Then as we came back to Hold Chan ALL the other boats were switching sites. Is there a possibility that a limit be put on the number of boats at any one time?
Are the currents at Shark & Ray Alley as dangerous?
I like the idea that was suggested of colored flags advising conditions.
What other ideas can we come up with?

This is just so awful and tragic for all concerned. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of those who have passed. I can't imagine how horrible it must have been for the survivors and I have no doubt that the tour guides and operators involved are deeply affected. It has saddened the community at large with sympathy and kind thoughts being extended to those affected, nation wide.

Accidents are awful and we are often inclined to try to place blame to make sense to ourselves something that seems so awful. Blame doesn't help anyone, nor is it constructive and often is based on poor information. Gaining wisdom and using that knowledge to help reduce the risk of further accidents is constructive and helpful. Nevertheless, accidents are accidents - that's why they are called accidents - and they will always happen, no matter how many precautions we take.

I know for a fact that many business owners in Belize thought to themselves 'there for but the grace of god' because it can happen so easily and so quickly. It's just a very sad time and a time of loss for those who are mourning loved ones and for our community.

Excellent points Collette,



I agree 100%. Just as we waited for the results of the boating accident investigation last summer we need to do that here. I think its appropriate to expess ideas about possible factors leading up to the tragedy and I suspect it will be a multiplcity of factors and not one single issue. Personally I'm making no assignments of fault I simply remain deeply saddened by the events and thoise affected by them.



What did happen? what were the circumstances? what decisions were made, by whom, and almost as importantly what was ommitted? I hope a clear picture can be obtained through the inquest process. Not for the purposes of assigning blame, (although that possibility exists with an inquest) but to draw from this understanding, to learn, and to reduce the risks...



We simply need to strive to do the best we can to minimize those possibility where we can.

From a long time Caye Caulker resident and former guide:

That cut is very narrow and the current in an outgoing tide from the flats is very strong, about 3 mph. You cannot swim in it. You would have to let yourself go outside and swim sideways outside the reef parallel about 400 feet, then cross over back inside the reef with the wave action. I regularly made weak swimmers wear lifejackets while snorkeling at Hol channel, had a lesson, lecture telling them how to handle themselves should they be popped out through the channel by the rip current. Taught them how to cross the reef, further down back inside, by not standing, laying as flat and shallow as they can, and let a wave wash them across, using their fingertips. I do believe there should be a rope stretched across the narrow channel where the waves break. If you have gone past the cave, you would find it impossible for a novice to get back inside. Amateurs try to stand up, when crossing back over the reef further down out of the rip current. Then they get all kinds of coral cuts. You just have to float shallow coming back across the reef. I found if you explained and taught themselves how to handle a rip current and coming back, it took away the panic of watching yourself being swept out to sea.

COMMENT FROM ANOTHER FRIEND:
It is incredulous to me to imagine that a 50+ year old in average shape would have the stamina to go against an incoming tide / swells (such as is common in Hol Chan at this time of the year) without a life jacket.

Going against the tide wears you out as much as being on a treadmill on a fast speed. Without a life jacket, you are at a disadvantage. Been there, done that, and I can vouch to that from personal experience.

I've seen those gusts of breeze on the islands do incredible, unbelievable things.

One time I was dive master on a boat heading out to the Blue Hole. The swells at the Turneffe exit channel were at least 50 feet high. I could not believe my eyes. Literally, the boat man had to rev the three 200 horse power engines up what appeared to be a mountain of water. One error in judgment and the boat would have flipped on its top. It was quite scary. I never went out there before summer again.

These poor snorkelers got pummeled on the rocks (reef). A human body is like a bobbing cork when huge swells are rolling in. You get pitched all over the place and you have no control.

I think life jackets should be mandatory wear in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, at least during blustery days, but I would suggest it as normal wear for every snorkeler. The channel is deep, at least 30 feet deep. The average person who get tired while swimming has no leeway without a life jacket.

Another comment:

Your characterization of the cut is accurate, I've dived it half a dozen times. It's one of my favorite spots, very beautiful. And your approach to dealing with a strong current is spot on except I'd never want to be encumbered with a life jacket in that situation, most especially if I was trying to float over the reef without touching and damaging it. My point is that weak swimmers should not be snorkeling. It's an activity that should be undertaken only after someone has learned to swim well, as with scuba diving.


Response from former guide:

Well I taught my guest snorkelers at Hol Channel how to handle the rip current and cross the reef if that is what happened. If they got popped out, you let the rip current take you out. You get panicky as you get swept away from the reef and the trees and boats disappear from view. You just have to know if you parallel and swim sideways you get out of the rip current and the waves will bring you back into the reef, further down.

Coming in is the dangerous part. You can float, you don´t have to swim in the ocean. Take your time and just relax. Coming in you are behind the breaking waves as you approach the reef. The trick is to lay prone, float and let a wave pick you up and scoot you across the first layer of coral with the bubbles obscuring your view, as the wave breaks. Put your hands in front of your face for protection. As the trough leaves you on the reef, you just hold with your fingertips staying prone. When the next wave picks you up, again the bubbles obscure your view, but you feel the wave float you up off the reef, you walk using the tips of your fingertips, pulling yourself foreward. You dont kneel to see what is happening, you don´t stand, or anything. Just float shallow as you can. When the next trough drops you on the reef, you hold on again with your fingertips to avoid being dragged backward. Repeat with the next couple of waves. Usually three or four waves will pout you inside the reef. Still snorkeling, laying shallow as you can, you can now swim more in away from the breaking surf into the inner reef and lagoon. At Hol Chan you are usually about 400 feet or more either side on the now dry reef. I´ve done this in raging high surf. No problema! Piece of cake if you are knowledgeable.

The only people I see got hurt, were trying to stand up and see where they were in the coral. Scratched their legs all over.

This was a standard training lecture for all my snorkeling guests at Hol Channel. I told them not to go past the cave, as the outgoing current can be strong when the tide is flowing out. It weakens, if you get into the shallow coral on the sides to the entrance. If you are in the middle of the narrow channel mouth you are going to get popped out. Just float comfortable, make sure you are breathing through your snorkel, lay on your back. Nothing you can do until the rip tide weakens about a 100 yards out to sea.

Well put Colette...