JARROD’S LAST DIVE FOR PEARLS
The lure of pearls – rare, iridescent jewels of the sea – has been documented since Biblical times.
“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every gate was of one pearl: and the streets of the city were pure gold, as if transparent glass.” Revelation 21.21. These are the famed “Pearly Gates” of heaven.
The lust for pearls endures in many of the world’s cultures.
But are they worth dying for? Is Australia’s pearl diving industry, now worth an estimated $200 million, as safe as it should be?
On April 14 this year, Jarrod Hampton was diving for pearl shell off Australia’s north-west coast. His second day of diving turned out to be, tragically, his last.
Should the pearling trade have stricter safety measures and work practices?
Here, just for The Hoopla, his heartbroken parents, Tony and Robyn, remember their son and have questions to ask of the pearling industry…
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As Jarrod, our 22 year-old eldest son, bravely strode into the tunnel to board his Darwin-bound flight from Melbourne, without looking back, we had no idea this would be the last time we would see him alive.
Jarrod was heading to Darwin to begin his employment as a diver with Paspaley Pearling – firstly, a few weeks carrying out maintenance on the boat and attending the induction course, before motoring around to Broome where he would commence diving for pearl shells.
We didn’t know he wasn’t covered by any general Australian-wide workplace safety standards. His contract only made mention of the standards formulated and imposed by the Pearl Producers Association.
But we all knew it was a dangerous job.
Diving is a hazardous occupation. The induction course emphasised many of the dangers that might be encountered and that divers would be pushed to the limits of their physical endurance.
Whilst we certainly had concerns about these conditions, we took comfort that the company said it had “world class safety standards” and of course we knew that they were the biggest pearling operator in the country, with a good safety record.
On the 14th of April, 2012, Jarrod’s second day of drift diving, he encountered problems that would have contributed to fatigue. Midway through his eighth dive of the day he surfaced and called for assistance, which was acknowledged by the crew on the boat.
As Four Corners reported, crews have no instruction of rescue/retrieval of a diver in distress, there was no method of lifting an unconscious diver onto the boat and there was no defibrillator on board.
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10 Responses to this article
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Monica July 20, 2012
Well done Robyn and Tony. Jarrod was a beautiful boy who has left a lasting legacy.
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Kylie L July 20, 2012
I couldn’t believe when I saw Four Corners how many brand new divers they had they had on board that trip- 5 of 8 from memory- never mind all the other safety lapses. That’s shockingly negligent. I hope you get some answers and some closure and some pecae.
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alison July 21, 2012
I saw the Four Corners story on Jarrod and it haunted me for days. It is incomprehensible to me that a huge, successful and high profile company like Paspaley allows its divers to work with so little margin for error. This is an extreme job-that there was no real safety procedure in place is immoral. That the crew had litte idea how to even get Jarrod back on to the boat is astounding. How do the company executives sleep at night? What sort of people are they? If their customers knew the risks taken by these young men, and the price your family has paid for this luxury item, I hope there would be an outcry. Has anyone talked about boycotting Paspaley until the company acknowledges the need for change, and then acts on it? I for one could not wear a pearl knowing what I know now about how they are harvested. I’ll be posting your post on my facebook page, and a link to the Four Corners story.
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Jen July 21, 2012
My condolences to the whole family.
The 4Corners program was chilling. I’m a Dive Master. The fact that only an OWC is required before being thrown into this kind of diving is appalling.
I’ve rescued stressed divers, and have been one myself when equipment issues arose on a deep dive. It was my training, and that of my buddy that kept me alive.
As was said by Robyn in the 4Corners interview, Jarrod fulfilled his end of the deal. He got to the surface and signalled for help. It was then up to those on the surface to save him. But, no one had the training.
It is incomprehensible that no one on the boat has any training to save distressed divers. But they carry body bags. Industry standards be damned – have a safety and rescue plan in place. Have a rescue diver on the boat. There is no possible cost that is too high for the safety of others.
Paspaley, given their immense earnings should be putting the safety of their staff ahead of everything else.
My deepest, deepest sympathy to the family & friends.
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Julie Wright July 21, 2012
I watched this story on Four Corners and I was truly shocked at the lack of safety equipment and the “archaic” way in which they are dragged by their oxygen line along the bottom of the sea bed. It was reported on Four Corners that Jarrod had nearly drowned on the dive before and reported this to another diver. It was an accident waiting to happen and I believe this company should be brought up on manslaughter charges.
I will never buy a pearl again knowing that this young man lost his life diving for them. I had no idea pearls were farmed in this manner until this story.
There are no words to describe the deep pain and anguish of losing your child, and words are wanting when his death was so easily preventable.
This young man will never be forgotten. I sincerely wish his parents, friends and family strength and love during this time and in the years to come. -
Sarah July 22, 2012
Have people seen the Paspaley store in Martin Place in Sydney? They have more than enough money to have adequate safety standards if they can afford that store!!
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Jess July 22, 2012
I really don’t know what to say, except that I’m so sorry that your beautiful son has gone on to whatever comes next – perhaps those pearly gates?
I have a brother about Jarrod’s age, and I know that I will be thinking of you all, and wishing you healing and closure.
