Uncertified dive instructor flees CNMI after drowning

The supposed dive instructor who oversaw the fatal dive of a 41-year-old Chinese last May 17 fled the CNMI 24 hours after the tragic incident, according to the Department of Public Safety.

Police also found out that the supposed dive instructor, Qi Wei Shi, was running an unlicensed dive shop and he himself wasn’t a certified dive instructor.

In a press conference last Friday, DPS Commissioner Anthony Macaranas said following the victim’s death, suspicion and interest were raised due to reports of Qi fleeing the CNMI along with his family.

“Based on the investigation, as it revealed, the supposed dive company that was sponsoring this dive had fled the CNMI the next day. He (dive instructor) packed up his stuff and took his family back home. Right now, they’re back in China,” he said

Macaranas added as the investigators were following up, they found out that the vehicle that was used to pick up the diving gear was dropped off at a rental car shop in Koblerville and the people there that received the vehicle didn’t have any knowledge that the dive equipment was inside the vehicle.

“When they received the vehicle, because it was just dropped there without any notification, they put down the dive gear and then they started cleaning the car. Unknown to them, a couple of individuals who came by to the rental car [shop], picked up those diving equipment, and left without saying anything.”

Macaranas said that DPS Criminal Investigation Bureau and Marine Patrol officers recovered the dive equipment last Thursday.

“Now they’re going through forensic examination to see what transpired during the incident. So other than the dive equipment itself, they also recovered some GoPro footage that was attached to the dive equipment. Unfortunately, like I said, the people that are responsible for this had already fled the CNMI. What I also learned is that they cleaned out the place where they stayed. So, this has happened within a 24-hour period.” he said

Macaranas said DPS also found that Shi was not a certified diving instructor.

“He has no knowledge about diving. I think this is what prompts that after the incident happened, just the following day, on May 18, he packed up his stuff and his family and fled back to China. Right now, the case is still under investigation, and furthermore, our results will be forthcoming once the investigation has revealed more as to what transpired.”

He shared that one of the next steps in the investigation is extracting the footage they found from the GoPro to get a grasp on the last minutes of the victim and see if there was possible foul play.

“What the investigation will really focus is, No. 1, is the GoPro pictures that they’re going to extract. And No. 2, we’re trying to find the depth gauge that each diver has to wear, if that person was wearing it that day. We’re going through the paces of examining each of the equipment, and a follow-up determination will move forthcoming.”

So far, Macaranas said the case is not considered a homicide.

“Right now, the case is ruled as a drowning case, but it will escalate as we continue to progress through the investigation. The investigation will change the course of what determination the charges are going to come up. Right now, it’s still treated as a drowning case until such time that the findings are all gathered and determined. At the end we’ll determine what are the appropriate charges that are going to come up.”

Macaranas said that investigation is still underway, and they are working with eyewitnesses to hopefully contact Shi.

“There is one person, but that person was still ruled as a witness. We’re still working to find out if the witness is related to the diving incident or has something to do with regards to the business itself.”

He also shared that the female companion of the victim mentioned in reports is still on island.

“Some of these people that are involved are uncooperative right now, but we’re going through our paces to let them understand that this is something serious and they have to cooperate. Like I said, the people that’s running this show had already fled, but we got people that were left behind to actually talk about the case, and hopefully they could shed some light as to what really transpired on the event of May 17, 2024. “

When asked how long Shi has been operating his business on island, and if DPS knows how the dive shop marketed its services, Macaranas said that it’s unclear at this time.

“Right now, the diving company has not been mentioned. The investigators went about looking for a business license, too, and have not found anything yet. So probably this is one of those backdoor shops that operate illegally like this. And as a result, when this incident happened, the people that’s running it packed up and left. The investigation is still ongoing, as I say. But right now, the main thing that the investigators are looking at is the dive equipment that the victim and the people used. So that way, they will find what other evidence that will produce the findings.”

Macaranas said rest assured DPS is still rigorously working hard to find out the answers and probably find a way how to have the people responsible to be charged.

Speaking in regards to other illegal businesses that may be in the CNMI, Macaranas said, “The business itself knows what are the liabilities are coming. They know what they’re putting themselves into. My advice to these people that are not licensed, to please do the right thing. Because at the end, it is more harsh penalties coming forward if you fail to meet the requirement to run a business in the CNMI.

As of press time, DPS still hasn’t release the name of the drowning victim.