Close call! Moment spearfishing diver narrowly avoids being taken out by speeding boat in Hawaii

• Shocking video footage shows the nail-biting moment a speed boat rushes past solo diver Chris Lastra, spearfishing off Magic Island on Thursday in Oahu
• The spearfisher ducks out of the way as the speeding boat’s propeller severs his fin in half, but spares him from what could have been his demise
• Lastra, who has been diving for 10 years said in the aftermath, ‘Definitely lucky to be alive. God was looking after me,’ he said

A spearfisher in Oahu narrowly escaped death when he emerged from the water only to see a speed boat rushing towards him. 

Solo diver Chris Lastra was underneath the ocean water hunting for fish when the boat came barreling towards him. 

Incredible video footage shows the nail-biting moments the speed boat rushes past Lastra, who was fishing off Magic Island on Thursday. He ducks out of the way as the propeller slices his fin in half, but spares him from what could have been his demise.

Seconds after the boat passes, Lastra lifts his orange-gloved hand and gives the A-Ok hand gesture before saying, ‘Oh my god,’ in-between breaths, ‘What the heck?’ 

The speed boat that nearly killed him is seen circling back to see if Lastra was injured. Bobbing in-between the current, Lastra yells, ‘I’m alright. I lost my fin,’ he said before apologizing

The speed boat, named the ‘Wind Whisper,’ was anything but when it sped through the ocean waters nearly taking out the diver.

In the video, the captain is seen circling back to see if Lastra was injured. Bobbing in-between the current, Lastra yells, ‘I’m alright. I lost my fin,’ he said before apologizing.

‘That was my fault. I didn’t have a buoy,’ he said.  ‘I should have stayed under to be honest.’

He added:  ‘No worries bro, not your fault.’ 

Coast Guard officials said a bright dive flag could potentially save someone’s life and divers and boaters need to be familiar with the regulations when it comes to safety on the ocean.

US Coast Guard Diving Supervisor Kendall Smith said under state laws a 12-by-12 dive flag must be displayed while snorkeling, spearfishing or diving, CNN reported. 

‘If someone was diving, had a diver-down flag, it’s a no-wake zone for 200 yards outside of that diver-down flag or buoy.’

‘In this instance, he is lucky to be alive,’ Smith said.

‘I noticed in the video he was by himself. He should always dive with a buddy and have a plan and hope for the best, but always be prepared for scary incidents like that.

Chris Lastra, who resides in Hawaii but is a native of Santa Barbara, California said he has learned his lesson, and said he was ‘grateful to be alive’

The speed boat called the ‘Wind Whisperer,’ was anything but when it sped past Lastra as he was underneath spearfishing but the boater came back and checked on him 

The boat rushing past Lastra in the waters of Oauahu. The US Coast Guard said he should have a flag or buoy to alert boaters to his presence, and been diving with a buddy

Lastra, who resides in Hawaii but is a native of Santa Barbara, California, where there are no laws requiring a dive buoy, said he has learned his lesson, and he was ‘grateful to be alive.’

‘Your life flashes before your eyes when you face death, but for me, I was just thinking I’m an idiot, I should have had a buoy out here. 

Lastra accepted full responsibility for what he described as a ‘bad decision’ not having a buoy.

Many went to social media sharing their reaction on the ‘close call.’ 

‘Lucky the propeller caught his fin and not an arm or leg,’ one person wrote.

Another said: ‘That was close bruh! Dive safe!!

Source: Read Full Article