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Comment by A_Person | Hacker News Reader

> Malta is awesome ... the scuba diving is some of the best in the Mediterranean.

Not after this: https://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/jan/17/briton-fights-ex...

I won't summarize that article, since it's all quite clear as long as you read to the end. The upshot is, that anyone diving in Malta is subject to bizarre legal risk if something goes wrong. It's a bit like stopping to help at an accident, and then being charged with causing it!

The whole thing raised a massive stink amongst BSAC divers, since it seemed (at one point) that BSAC insurance wouldn't support him. I think he's still 6 figures out of pocket.

TL/DR: do not dive in Malta.

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Fortunately, the charges were dropped [1], and the reaction from Britain probably made the Maltese authorities think twice about pulling such a stunt in the future. It's a deeply unfortunate incident, but I'm not sure it warrants such an extreme reaction. Most people have no issues diving in Malta.

[1] http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-sussex-35350295

I'd say they only dropped it because of high-level pressure and adverse publicity. I wouldn't assume the same outcome with, for example, a random ozzie instructor on a diving holiday. The concerning issue, IMHO, is that such serious charges were bought at all, particularly given the absurd allegations contained therein (improper diving profile etc.). Also the fact that they didn't even inform him of their investigation or give him a chance to appear!

My view is, who's to say they won't do it again?

> Most people have no issues diving in Malta

Until they do! :-)

PS. Not trying to start an argument, just stating my view from this side of the pond :-)

Sure. But "until they do" applies to anything. No one has issues until they do. One bad incident doesn't automatically ruin everything.

Most people do not have car accidents. But seeing one might reasonably cause you to wonder how that happened, whether it might happen to you, and if so, how you might reduce your risk.

Seeing what happend to Stephen Martin, I ask myself, could that happen to me (if I was diving there), and if so, how could I reduce my risk? The answers (for me) are Yes It Could, and Don't Dive There!

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