A Western Australian dive operator has been fined nearly AUD $20,000 following an investigation into an incident that left two divers stranded offshore, bringing a regulatory conclusion to a case that drew widespread safety concerns across the diving community in 2025.
According to reporting from ABC News, Perth Diving Academy Hillarys received multiple penalties from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) after authorities identified breaches of maritime safety regulations linked to a dive trip off the Perth coast.
The enforcement action marks the first confirmed regulatory outcome since the incident first gained attention last year, when safety procedures and diver accountability protocols were widely discussed within the industry. Previous coverage by The Scuba News examining safety measures under scrutiny after the Perth diver stranding incident highlighted early concerns about headcounts, communication systems, and emergency preparedness.
Investigation Finds Safety Failures
AMSA’s investigation concluded that the operator failed to take reasonable care for passenger safety and vessel operations, issuing five infringement notices under the Maritime Safety Act. Authorities also found that the charter vessel involved, Wildcat, had been operating without a valid certificate at the time of the trip, an issue identified during the regulator’s review of operational records and compliance procedures.
The divers involved, brothers Ian Kensington and Ryan Chaudhry, were left approximately four kilometres offshore after the vessel returned to shore without them. They were later spotted by a passing ferry, which alerted the dive boat to their situation while prompting a wider investigation into industry safety practices.
Officials stated that the crew realised the oversight roughly 10 minutes after leaving the dive site and attempted to return, though the divers had already been located by ferry passengers.
As part of the enforcement action, AMSA issued a prohibition notice preventing the vessel from operating until improvements were made to safety management systems, crew training procedures, and passenger accounting processes.
Debate Over Accountability
Legal representatives for the divers have argued that the penalties do not fully reflect the seriousness of the incident, suggesting stronger consequences could help reinforce safety expectations within adventure tourism operations. One of the divers said the experience caused lasting physical and psychological impacts, adding to ongoing discussions about duty of care in recreational diving environments.
Western Australia’s Premier also welcomed the enforcement action, noting that while marine tourism remains a key part of the state’s economy, operators must maintain rigorous safety standards.
Industry Reflection Continues
When the incident first emerged, it sparked widespread debate within the diving community about the importance of redundant safety checks, clear communication between crew and divers, and the role of emergency signalling equipment in offshore environments.
The newly confirmed fines bring a formal regulatory outcome to the case, yet the broader conversation around operational oversight, diver safety culture, and accountability continues. While events of this nature remain rare, the investigation has reinforced the message that strong safety systems are not optional but fundamental to maintaining trust in dive operations worldwide.
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One diver left at sea is one to many. We were diving in the Red Sea and the last of 3 boats to leave the anchering bouy. 2 divers from another boat were left on the surface. So we took them! Harrowing scene.