Representatives of the boat operators, Dive Pro Liveaboard, also repeatedly tried to get people to sign a waiver – survivors say – that would have seen them agree to the statement: “I am not accusing anyone of any criminal wrongdoing.”
Justin Hodges, an American diver who was also rescued, told us that a “disclaimer document” written in English was handed to him while he was testifying.
He said he thought the person he was talking to was an “official” but that’s when he found out he was working for the company.
“He reached out to the authorities,” says Justin. “The fact that he was trying to get us to abdicate at that point was crazy to me.”
At least some of those we spoke to did not sign the document.