Diego Garcia fatal shark attack

We were talking about Diego Garcia the other day with some co-workers that were Navy stationed there, or pulling TDY. I was there as a miitary contractor on board vessels. One of which you can see in the picture (the left ship) of this news article. I had never seen a shark while out there, but I did see BARACUDA in those waters often. Then I did a search on shark attacks in Diego Garcia only to learn that there was a fatal shark attack there in July of this year killing a Navy contract worker. Holy cow. We all swam in those waters and apparantly this attack must have happened inside the lagoon where swimming is allowed. Swimming was not allowed on the ocean side. I've crossed the lagoon on a little motor boat, no bigger than a rowing canoe. Lots of things that bite out in the Indian Ocean. Here is that news article......beautiful snorkeling but just goes to show, you at the wrong time and place, you becometh fish food...... Fatal shark attack keeps Diego Garcia sailors out of the water - Pacific - Stripes

That's sad to hear. I've been swimming/waterskiing in that lagoon a few times. Really surprised to hear this was on the lagoon side, as I believe there are shark nets protecting the whole lagoon.

I never heard of shark nets in the lagoon. Remember that the lagoon is open to the ocean by a narrow passage and those ships stationed inside the lagoon come in and out of that narrow passage all the time. No shark nets there. Anything can come in there and they do. (Unless things have changed since 1988.) You know, the article didn't specify specifically if it happened on the ocean side or lagoon side, but I'm sure it must have happened inside the lagoon, as the article mentioned it was upstream from mainside Diego Garcia. That visibility is great over there and surprisingly, I've never seen sharks, but I've seen turtles, stingrays, fish, baracuda. I always assumed that it was too shallow for them in the lagoon to their liking and better pickings of fish and sealife outside the lagoon. You know they got Tigers, Bullsharks, Oceanic White Tips, even great whites lurking all around that island. Swimming had always been off limits on the ocean side. The Brits specifically made it clear not to swim on the ocean side. The EXPAT club that was ocean side was my favorite hangout and it was the most beautiful view on the island I thought. But I never swam there. I walked along the beach there but never dipped in. It was kind of rough too. We were always told it was too dangerous, and SHARK INFESTED. Here is a piece of what the article said..........

"The attack occurred about 25 feet from shore in a designated swimming area one mile from the downtown area of the base". (My opinion is this.......) One mile from base is where the launch would drop us off. We would either walk to downtown base area or ride a bus. I jogged to base for two reasons. I was pissed off being there after a while, I would isolate myself from all the assholes that would congregate from all the ships on these launch rides to shore, and would all congregate on the bus and talk alot of smack. More than I could bare after a few months on island. So I suspect that the shark attack may have happened near this launch site area. Across the launch area walking only a small strip of the atoll was the ocean side and there was the EXPAT club. Downtown Diego base area was a mile south. It's the only place it could be. If you go a mile the other way from base, you hit the ocean instantly because downton Diego is the widest part of the atoll and anything passed that going south is ocean. So I think this attack happened between the Brit Club and the launch basin. I think if it had happened on the ocean side of the atoll, they wouldn't be shutting down swimming nor water activities since swimming in the ocean side is strictly prohibited.

Water safety

Swimming is only allowed on the lagoon side of the island. Due to strong currents and a
large population of aggressive sharks, NO SWIMMING IS ALLOWED ON THE
OCEAN SIDE OF DIEGO GARCIA. You will be arrested if caught swimming in the
ocean. You may enter the ocean to explore but no deeper than your knees.

Swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and windsurfing in the lagoon all involve possible contact
with harmful marine life. When snorkeling or swimming around coral growths, never
reach into holes in coral heads as these are potential homes for moray eels. Also, when
snorkeling around coral heads, be sure to wear gloves (fire coral is not uncommon in our
waters and causes severe pain if accidentally touched).

Swimming in the lagoon at night is NOT permitted.

Here is a shark attack off of TUMON BAY on GUAM. Tumon Bay has outstanding hotels, looks like a mini-Waikiki Beach. How many times have I swam on Guam, Saipan and Diego Garcia??? I'm glad I'm intact.

Tumon is so much better than Waikiki! It's pretty similar, but not very crowded. Oahu is a beautiful place, but WAY too many people on that damn island at any given moment. I HATE PEOPLE!!

BTW, I cut my leg pretty good on some coral pretty close to Tumon Bay. Luckily not the fire variety

We were told that good ole white vinegar neutralizes the effects of coral cut infections.

Whoops, noticed I left out the Tumon Bay shark attack link......Shark Attack News: Fatal Shark Attack in Guam.