The mystery of Richard Harley
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Vadhoo Resort
I was asked one day to visit Vadhoo Resort to meet and dive with an American Dive master, a one Richard Harley
I had no idea what to expect.
On arrival my Maldivians in charge of the Resort were troubled with him. I learned later that he was feeding sharks by hand, filming them and then after dinner running the pictures and selling off to his clients for a large sum. I did not take to him and got the impression he was a bit of a Mr know it all.
I had no idea what to expect.
On arrival my Maldivians in charge of the Resort were troubled with him. I learned later that he was feeding sharks by hand, filming them and then after dinner running the pictures and selling off to his clients for a large sum. I did not take to him and got the impression he was a bit of a Mr know it all.
Diving Dangerously
Next morning we were diving Vadhoo Channel, a very pleasing drift dive. Just the pair us.
A beautiful day, calm seas, slight breeze. I always have an octopus (secondary source of air) on my tank.
Drifting along at about 20 meters delicious and peaceful! Until I freaked out! "someone was on my back, someone was taking my air".
A quick look confirmed I had ample air and was no where near reserve...
A beautiful day, calm seas, slight breeze. I always have an octopus (secondary source of air) on my tank.
Drifting along at about 20 meters delicious and peaceful! Until I freaked out! "someone was on my back, someone was taking my air".
A quick look confirmed I had ample air and was no where near reserve...
Out of the water
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I motioned a thumbs for UP. My boat boys pull old mama aboard. My wet suit bright pink and yellow which was made for me by Tabata in Japan and has my name down each leg MALDIVE LADY so the sharks wont eat me!
Behind me is the dive master supreme! He is swearing shouting "...I've never been out dived by a woman. I have never never..." etc etc! He got very rude.. When he was finished with his tirade I rounded on him and said "what the hell do you think you are doing, you are the Dive Master and why would you be gobbling my air !?" When back he had to fill in my Log Book. He had told me he was going to move to Bandos. I left, called male and gave my opinion of this dreadful man. I'd had over 20 years in the islands and having had loads of dives with various dive masters I made it very clear, he was NOT a Dive master. I phoned Claude a divemaster on Bandos to tell him to WATCH him. Claude did keep an eye on him and one day found he had 7 Passports under different names, ironically one of those names was Lazarus. |
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The Man with many names: Richard Harley
The real name of Richard Smith Harley was David J. Friedland an American lawyer and politician who went on the run after faking his own death. He was hunted by Interpol and considered the number one fugitive wanted by the United States Marshals Service.
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Find out more
Wikipedia
David Friedland New York Times Archive (1987) Flashy Life as Fugitive Led Agents to Ex-Senator Fugitive Jersey Politician Seized Off India's Coast LA Times Archive (1988) Global Manhunt |
