Sadly, we’ve lost another life to cliff diving at Pedro St.
James Castle in Savannah.
We clearly cannot understand why this young man chose to
dive the cliff a week after another young man did the same thing and lost his
life. Ours is a community in a fishbowl. Surely he and his friends and family
knew about the demise of Justin Henry on 26 December. Have our young people
forgotten about respect for the sea? Unfortunately cliff diving at Pedro St.
James has become quite a popular attraction with visitors to Grand Cayman. A
quick Google search showed several comments on Trip Advisor and other sites
where tourists are asking where is the best place to cliff jump at Pedro. There
is even a Facebook page devoted to cliff diving at the historical site.
Fortunately, some people have weighed in on these sites and have warned people
that cliff diving at Pedro isn’t at all safe. Because of the latest incidents,
police are considering closing the area.
We have to agree with what one of our cayCompass.com
commenters had to say: “… closing Pedro’s Castle to divers is a bad idea. The
offshore pinnacles at that site are one of the most amazing shore dives
anywhere. Even if you live on Grand Cayman you could probably only do that dive
three or four times per year. It’s only doable during a Nor’wester, and even
then it’s not for beginner divers. It’s a long swim. It’s worth it.”
There were once signs posted along the cliff at Pedro
warning people of the dangers of jumping into the sea there. We would hope that
whoever is in charge – whether the site is closed off or not – would see to
immediately that the signage is re-posted.
It is sad that the Cayman Islands has to start this new year
with a senseless death.
Our hearts and condolences go out to this young man’s
family. Young people know what’s going on at Pedro; it has become a popular
spot to hang out. The gathering isn’t the problem. The problem is when someone
decides to take on the challenges of the cliff rock and the sea. Both are
formidable foes.
We have to go back to the old ways of teaching our children
to navigate and respect the waters around us. As our commenter gently reminds
us, we were Founded upon the Seas.
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I’m not certain that what I’m suggesting is appropriate, but out of respect for these loses it would be considerate to place permanent plaques (memorials) at the cliff edge in remembrance and in sympathy to those who have lost their lives there.