This archive report was first published on 5 October 2019.
On October 5, 2019, Swedish scuba diver and whale shark expert Volker Bassen made headlines after claiming he could locate the Likoni ferry bodies and vehicle in 15 minutes and retrieve them within two hours.
However, after being given a chance to prove his claims, Bassen returned empty-handed, forcing him to eat humble pie.
"I realised that I underestimated the conditions here, especially what the Kenya Navy has to deal with," he said after his failed attempt. "It is zero visibility, very deep water, and terrible current that make it difficult for us to locate the car."
"I realised that I underestimated the conditions here, especially what the Kenya Navy has to deal with," he said after his failed attempt. "It is zero visibility, very deep water, and terrible current that make it difficult for us to locate the car." — Volker Bassen, Swedish scuba diver and whale shark expert
The family of 35-year-old Mariam Kighenda and her 4-year-old daughter Amanda Mutheu had pinned their hopes on Bassen after he promised to get the bodies in two hours, five days after the multi-agency failed to retrieve the bodies.
The mother and daughter drowned last Sunday after their vehicle plunged into the Indian Ocean after sliding from a ferry.
Despite his failed attempt, Bassen expressed willingness to assist the Kenya Navy team if needed.
