A scuba diving instructor expressed regret Friday for returning to shore without an American couple, still missing after being left behind on their diving cruise to the Great Barrier Reef.
"Somehow they fell through the system," said Karl Jesienowski, who was aboard the tour boat Outer Edge when the couple disappeared. "I sincerely apologize."Thomas Joseph Lonergan, 33, and his wife Eileen Cassidy Lonergan, 28, of Baton Rouge, La., were last seen Sunday as they entered the water as part of a group of 26 people diving at St. Crispins Reef, 43 miles northwest of the Port Douglas resort in Queensland.
The couple, who were experienced divers, were not noticed missing for more than 48 hours, when crew members realized some of their belongings were still on the boat. Police were notified and a massive search began Wednesday.
Jesienowski said a head count of divers was taken before the boat left the dive area. However, he did not explain why operators did not realize then that the Americans were missing.
He said the Americans had specifically asked to dive separately.