US visitor dies snorkeling in North Side
(CNS) UPDATED: Police have identified the 45-year-old man who died in North Side last week as Todd Rick. He was visiting the Cayman Islands from Texas in the United States and died Thursday following a snorkelling trip off Rum Point. The emergency services were called to the popular tourist spot after a report that Rick was in distress in the water. The victim had been snorkelling when he encountered difficulties and became unresponsive, the police said. Rick was taken back onto the boat he had been on, where CPR was administered as it returned to shore. He was then taken to the George Town hospital by emergency services, where he was pronounced dead.
He is the tenth person to lose his life in local waters this year.
Category: Local News
When a passenger(guest) steps aboard, the typical boat owner is not likely to be worrying about his responsibilities as “Master” of the vessel.
The question of liability is both simple and complex.
Admiralty law (or maritime law is a body of law that governs nautical issues and private maritime disputes), like land-based legal concepts, starts with the premise that a property owner owes his invited guest (passengers) a duty to exercise ordinary or reasonable care for the safety of the guest.
Deciding just what constitutes reasonable care can be especially complicated on a boat, which is bobbing, slippery and filled with obstructions. It has a great deal to do with the experience of the boat owner and the boating experience of the passenger and whether the boat owner had or should have had knowledge or notice of some dangerous condition. Additionally, it may depend on whether the owner knew or should have known his guest was unaware of or unfamiliar with the condition.
The duty to exercise reasonable care is rooted in the duty to provide a reasonably safe boat for the invited guest. This does not require that the boat be accident proof. Under the law, the applicable standard of care requires the boat owner to provide a boat that is reasonably safe, not one that is absolutely safe.
Operator responsibility extends to those guests and other waterway users that are in the water.
Recently, a Miami, Florida Federal court determined a cruise line can be held liable for the wrongful death of a passenger during a shore excursion if the cruise line misstated the required skills, safeness and/or physical level of the tour in the cruise materials.
“In this case, daughters of a passenger sued the cruise line for the wrongful death of their mother who drowned during a snorkeling tour in the Cayman Islands.” https://www.maritimelawblog.net/cruise-lines-can-be-liable-for/
Contacting a “commercial trip(tour) drowning” lawyer, depending on exact circumstances, could be in order.
Spoken like a lawyer. Find fault so someone else pays for decisions others freely made.
Seriously!?
Don’t comment unless you know what the heck your talking about! Sounds like another D Smith comment if you ask me…. Thanks but no thanks !
First and foremost condolences to this young man’s family. Nobody wants to go on a dream holiday and lose their life.
I’ve been on numerous charters on my 20 plus trips to Cayman. Each and everyone were professional on their safety standards.
Yes, there has been a record number of water deaths in Cayman this year but there has also been a record number of visitors.
One question that is usually not answered is how many of these deaths were caused by underlying health issues? I’ve have read that several of the deaths have been caused by heart attacks.
In many of the comments it is brought up that the goverment should do more to curb these deaths. The goverment should play a roll but at some point the individual needs to make a good judgement.
If you are an average swimmer should you swim out to a reef with no flotation device? If you are not comfortable in water should you leave the land? Are you snorkeling with the new full masks that have reportedly caused numerous deaths world wide due to carbon dioxide build up in the mask?
Look at death reports at ski resorts in Colorado. There are numerous deaths caused to underlying health issues each winter at ski areas. These resorts have some of the best trained on mountain EMTs and they still have numerous deaths.
Again, I don’t know this young man’s situation and what happened during his fateful trip. In these situations there are so many unknown facts. There are thousands of snorkelers each week in Cayman with no incidents. When these tragic deaths happen people feel the government should do more to protect them.
Visitors need to remember Cayman is a tiny nation and Caymanians have big hearts and wouldn’t put visitors in harms way just for a few dollars.
I hope the family of this young man gets some closure on what happened but I also hope the community doesn’t jump to conclusions.
Prayers to his family for peace in this difficult time. God Bless.
Did you actually read @8.59 comment? Doesn’t appear so. You remind me a Trip Adviser “expert” who goes under the name Retrip and possibly under a couple of more names. His motto is: deny,deny,deny and trivialize all concerns.
8.59 has raised many very valid concerns. Boats safety and personell qualification.
Each and every one of us has underlying health issuses of which we are not aware of.
Everyone who is in the tourism business must expect the unexpected and be prepared, certified to assist.
Boat operators that carry passengers are expected to comply with at least minimum satisfactory safety standards. When you take someone’s money in exchange for services, you enter into a business transaction that carries legally enforceable obligations.
It is appears there is little official oversight, with no required licenses for operators or specific safety classes. Tour operators must be certified in CPR and first aid. Boats must be regularly inspected.
D Smith , do you agree that Captains /Drivers Tour guides, who are receiving money from people for services rendered , should be responsible and qualified and professional and experienced in the field ? Did you read the comment posted by eye witness who witnessed what took place at the dock at Rum Point , would you call that professional and experienced and responsible Charter boat Captains ?
About your 20 plus trips that you did in Cayman , were the trips taken on 20 different Charter boats ? Or with the same Captain 20 different times ?
I am former Charter boat Captain with more years experience than your 20 trips , and I have seen the same kind of attitude 20 years ago, that the witness said that was displayed on the dock at Rum point . Now today year 2018 I can’t imagine what the charter boat system is like when there’s no rules and regulations for the guides to follow .
I agree that a person’s health must be seen in these tragic deaths , but responsibility for this last tragedy should also looked into too , which I believe that more of that kind do exist .
Why I am saying that government should take a serious look into all these tragic deaths in the Tourism sector and address it .
D Smith….. How dare you! Aside from the health risks, factors that might have come into play, there is a bigger picture that needs to be addressed.
How dare you apologize then come back with something so coldhearted like you stated above. Should somebody go snorkeling without a floaty device? Should somebody get in the water if they’re an average swimmer?
Then you go off to start talking about death rates in Colorado?
D Smith, The man you’re speaking about was a very experienced snorkeler. He was a very experienced swimmer, especially in the waters..and especially without a floating device.
Sounds like to me YOU are getting a little defensive … and maybe YOU are the one jumping to conclusions…
FYI…If you’re going to send your condolences to someone’s family , let it be just that and not follow it up with the BS. Thanks
Hi Montanna,
I don’t usually make comments, but your cousin, Shannon, was my co-worker. I too am terribly shocked and saddened by the news. Just wanted to let you know & anyone else who should run across this that he was an all-around good dude, with a kind & helpful heart! He is already missed. Prayers for your family!
I am fristrated that the government is standing by and doing nothing to address some of the root causes of these unnecessary deaths and to evaluate the Islands’ emergency response capabilities. This is not just a statistic when it is your brother, son, cousin, Sister, daughter. It is then a tragedy.
It is high time for the Tourism Ministry to take the initiative to investigate as a matter of urgency preventive actions.
My deepest sympathy to this man’s family.
Thank you so much for your sweet words.
Well said 6.59pm. I truly hope this will be noted and immediate action will be taken. There’s already been far too many water deaths just this year alone. It seems any Tom, Dick and Harry can use their boats for charter without being properly qualified or even have the basic training in case of instances like this. Do you all consider people’s lives cheap? Doesn’t anyone care anymore? It seems no, and it’s just all down to how much money you can screw out of these unsuspecting tourists. It’s bad enough with the appalling crime on this island which has escalated way out of control without these greedy “business people” putting lives at risk. What does it take Cayman? Clearly not deaths of people to warrant ensuring that these kind of businesses are run by qualified people. Certainly no Health & Safety in place on this island!! You’d be hung, strung and quartered in the U.K. and the US……… shame on you!
I give my deepest regards to man family. The statement from anonymous 6:59pm , sounds very true and troubling , XXXXX
I have said many times before that Government needs to put some heavy regulations in place for charter boat operators today . I seen back from 1985 that people would buy a boat , and came to me to book them charters , and I knew just about everyone on the Island then , If I didn’t know that you had seaman experience and knowledge, I just didn’t have anything to do with you , as booking his trips .
I hope that DOT and the Tourism Minister reads the above statement by anonymous Tourist 6 :59 pm.
Why isn’t anyone asking the question how and why?
I am a visitor to Cayman and was standing on the dock when this poor man was brought to Rum Point.
My first impression was why the crew of the charter boat weren’t trying to resuscitate the man, instead standing with a sense of hopelessness whilst the excellent crew off a Red Sail boat sprung into action rendering cpr and oxygen.
Obviously the crew responsible for this man and his companions were untrained and unprepared for a water emergency, and quite possibly in shock. This was totally opposite to the unwavering dedication that was demonstrated by the Red Sail staff from the catamaran and Rum Point, who never gave up trying to save this poor man. Another observation was the lack of sympathy demonstrated by other commercial boat operators who were forcefully attempting to land their passengers on the dock. If it weren’t for the efforts of a Red Sail lady and a conservation cop on a jet ski who held these fools off whilst the medical staff dealt with the emergency before them, guests from the boats would have been forced to witness a dreadfully sad scene unfolding at the dock. I overheard one captain shouting that he had to off load and time was money, just awful.
Then, when a Fire Dept employee arrived, he appeared to be dreadfully unfit and incapable of assisting. He just stood and watched whilst others worked on.
I have to say that I was extremely impressed by the efforts of ordinary people trying to do an extraordinary thing. Unlike the so called professionals who stood on the dockside and watched.
In most countries questions would be asked in regard to the circumstances that led to this guy dying. From overhearing conversations on the dock I deduced that this guy was seen at Stingray City earlier, in very bad seas conditions. Apparently the tour then took his party to a reef just off Rum Point, but it wasn’t noticed that he wasn’t moving until the crew called for the party to return to the boat. I don’t know if this is accurate, but surely someone was in the water with these guys, monitoring safety etc.. If not, why not?
And why didn’t we see the crew administering first aid and cpr whilst coming to shore, are they trained, isn’t this mandatory?
As a visitor used to strict marine safety laws it comes as a shock to witness this awful tragedy when a few safety protocols could have prevented an unnecessary death. The ocean was rough, my family had been out to see the stingrays earlier and commented that it appeared unsafe, it must have been worse for anyone remotely unfit. Then compound that with a snorkel at the reef, (also rough with current) an untrained crew, and it should come as no surprise to most intelligent people that someone would pay a heavy price. I have to say that my overall impression of Caymans commercial boat fleet is very disappointing. Safety protocols are clearly not in place, or worse, are ignored and boat maintenance is obviously low on the list of priorities. Safety equipment is woefully lacking as is water safety and first aid training on almost every boat I’ve been on during the past few visits.
Sadly I will not return to Cayman anytime soon, this incident shocked me deeply as did the selfishness demonstrated by Caymanian captains more interested in money than a dying man’s dignity or the well being of his own guests, some of whom were small children.
The one shining light was from those who tried their utmost to save a stranger, well done guys, you can be proud that you at least tried.
First responders typically provide advanced first aid level care, CPR, and automated external defibrillator (AED) usage (EMS, police, fire).
Cayman firefighters are not “first medically trained responders”. There are no “Certified first responders” in CIFS, as far as I know.
In most civilized countries firefighters do also have to be EMTs. As many as 70 percent of calls that came into fire departments involve medical issues.
Yes u are correct. Unfortunately our firefighters are not formally trained. They do their best. I would say it funding that is the reason for the lack of training.
Funding really? It takes less than 5 minutes to watch a YouTube video on CPR. You only have to give chest compressions. It’s not hard at all. The lack if self motivation to level a valuable skill that could help save someone’s life is shameful for any person wanting to be a firefighter in your country. Do better
I know the red sail staff never gave up trying their hardest.
If a Firefighter isn’t a First Responder who is? Just because they don’t have formal first aid training doesn’t mean they are not a first responder. Medical issue are for Paramedics, fire issue are for the Fire Department!
That’s terrible! I hope someone sees your comment that can and will do anything about this. Anybody in government willing to contact this poster and actually take action to fixing this?! Probably not.
As a long time resident this is a very sad occurrence. I personally only like to send visitors to red sail, very glad to know they are quick into action now too.
To the anonymous comment above, your words have hit my heart! The man you Whitessed losing his life was my cousin. We are so sad and shocked. The fact that you witnessed this whole situation blows my mind ! If you don’t mind sending me an email so I can get more information from you maybe to get some closure for my family, this whole situation is sad and beyond unbelievable! My email is montannarae@outlook.com
Persons should have a clean bill of health before they are allowed to go snorkeling and diving. Health has a lot to do with the end results in most cases.
To Montanna Wilson, Shannon was a coworker and a friend of mine. My condolences to you and your entire family. He was one of our family here at work and we all loved him and will miss him incredibly. He was a great guy and friend.
To the 10:17 comment, thank you for your kind words . They mean so much!
The first impression of Anonymous visitor to why crew of the boat weren’t trying to resuscitate the victim.
I personally experienced a shark attack which I was the Captain of my boat when a shark attacked my brother , I left the people who were snorkeling and drove the boat to brother’s rescue and helped get him on board and got a turnakit on his arm, took the boat back to the people that were left , and at the same time I am making arrangements for Ambulance to where to meet my brother , and I ordered all the passengers of my other brother’s boat which was faster than my boat onto my boat , and I had my injured brother into surgery within about a half hour from in the middle of the north sound .
Hi Ron, when did this shark attack take place?
I don’t remember the specific date , but it happened in the late 1980s .
FWIW, I was on the Red Sail catamaran that pulled into the dock just before the boat with the victim came into the dock and a crew member of the boat that the victim was on was performing CPR. The other people on the boat, who I assume were famility members, looked like they were in shock. The Red Sail crew members sprung into action and tried to help. The Red Sail boat had a AED onboard as well, that they took off the boat, but I am not sure if they ever used it because we were on the beach by then.