Four foreign divers found safe after going missing off Samae San

Chonburi reports that four foreign divers, who went missing during a technical diving exercise off Samae San, were found safe on Friday night after reaching shore at Nam Sai Beach. Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center Region 1 was notified at 16:35 on August 14 after the boat captain reported that four divers failed to return from a dive near Ko Rong Khon and Ko Rong Nang, eight nautical miles from U-Tapao Airport.

The four divers, led by British Gary Philips, entered the water at 14:30 and were expected to return by 15:15. When they didn't surface as scheduled and no surface marker was visible, the captain initiated a search and requested assistance. Two divers were instructors, and the other two were students. They dived in instructor-student pairs at depths of 40-50 meters.

A Royal Thai Navy aircraft conducted aerial searches, and nearby fishing vessels were asked to assist. The site is known for strong currents due to its deep-water channel. On Friday, tides reached low of 0.91 meters at 11:12, rising to 3.02 meters by 19:36, making currents relatively strong when the divers entered. One diver on the boat said the instructors were physically fit and highly experienced, believing they could have fought the current to reach nearby islands.

Despite continued darkness, authorities prepared for a larger search at first light. At 20:50, a team on Samae San reported all four divers found at Nam Sai Beach, allowing authorities to conclude the search and rescue operation.