Last week, I got a message on Instagram from someone trying to sell me scuba diving gear. I did not pay much attention to it at first but then came a phone call from Daniel at Kelp Divers in Edgemead. Some of his scuba diving gear had been stolen, and as he listed the items, I remembered the Instagram message. I quickly went back to it, hoping I could set up a meeting to catch the crook.
I managed to setup a meeting and had undercover police and detectives around, unfortunately Mr. Yonela Bantu did not bring the equipment with and instead tried to scam me too, so we were not successful with the sting operation.
One week later I got another call, this time from Marius at Just Africa Scuba in Gordons Bay who had been targeted by the same group and also lost a substantial amount of equipment.
This it got me thinking. The second-hand dive market in Cape Town and South Africa has become the perfect breeding ground for stolen scuba gear. I think it's time we have a serious conversation about what’s going on, how it affects us as divers, and what we can do to stop enabling it.
Diving Is Expensive—But At What Cost?
Let’s face it, dive gear isn’t cheap—especially not in South Africa, where the "brand tax" adds insult to already high import duties. So it’s no surprise that people are constantly on the lookout for a bargain. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Buying second-hand can be a smart move—if you’re buying from a reputable source.
But sometimes, the prices are just too good to be true. That’s when alarm bells should ring.
I regularly scroll through Facebook Marketplace just to keep an eye on what’s being sold. And it never fails—top-of-the-line scuba regulators that retail for R30,000 going for R3,500. BCDs that should be almost brand-new, listed for less than 10% of their original price. It raises the obvious question: who spends that kind of money on dive gear only to sell it for next to nothing a few months later? IT JUST DOESN'T ADD UP!!!
What’s even more telling is that many of the buyers bring this gear to us to check if it’s safe to dive with. We look at the serial numbers and date of manufacture, and it’s clear—most of the equipment was made within the last year or two, some of it has never even touched water, and in other cases, it's been used maybe once or twice. That’s not the usual second-hand story. Something’s off!
In over 20 years in the diving industry, I’ve never seen the sheer volume of equipment being pushed out like some of these so-called second-hand sellers manage. I’m not talking about a diver retiring and selling their pre-loved dive gear—I’m talking about entire inventories being sold from private profiles.
There are several household names in the Cape Town second-hand market—"dudes" who only deal in second-hand gear. Their social media profiles are filled with dive gear. Not just one or two pieces—lots. And it’s always “priced to go.” Ask any diver or dive professional in the region—they know exactly who I’m talking about.
Almost every piece of stolen scuba gear we've managed to trace leads back to other provinces—especially Gauteng, Eastern Cape and KZN. The sellers never let you collect from their premises; instead, they insist on delivering the gear or meeting in neutral locations. This tactic protects their identity, making it easy for them to vanish if any questions arise. Let’s be honest—this isn’t random. It’s organized, and it’s starting to look a lot like a syndicate.
You’re Not Just Getting a Bargain—You’re Fueling a Crime
Buying stolen gear doesn’t just harm the original owner—it supports a criminal economy that’s targeting our community.
Let’s say you unknowingly buy a stolen regulator. You bring it in to get serviced, and we run the serial number. It’s flagged as stolen. We notify you. At this point, we usually hear one of two things: indifference or anger. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard, “Their loss, my score.”
Let that sink in.
Now imagine you’re gearing up on a dive boat, and the diver sitting next to you suddenly goes quiet. They’ve just recognised their stolen BCD—on your back. Or worse, you get buddied up with someone and realise they’re wearing the very same BCD that was stolen from you months ago. It happens. And when it does, it turns a peaceful dive day into a confrontation no one wants to have.
Theft is often treated as a victimless crime, but it’s not. For small dive centers like Kelp Divers, losing gear can cripple operations. For individual divers, it’s often years of careful investment and saving that gets wiped out.
And by buying stolen gear—knowingly or not—you’re sending a clear message to the thieves: “There’s a market for what you steal. Keep going.” Not to mention, being in possession of stolen goods is a criminal offense and punishable by law. You could find yourself on the wrong side of a police report, all because you wanted a good deal.
Would you buy a stolen bicycle? A stolen TV? A stolen car? No? Then why would you buy stolen scuba diving gear?
Protect Yourself: Safe Buying Tips
We’re not trying to shut down the second-hand market. Quite the opposite—we want to protect it. A healthy second-hand market is great for sustainability, accessibility, and affordability. But it needs to be secure and transparent.
If you’re going to buy second-hand gear, follow these simple steps:
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✅ Ask for the seller’s ID and proof of purchase. Reputable sellers will understand.
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✅ Meet at their home or business, not in a parking lot. It gives you context and accountability.
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✅ Use common sense. If the price is way below market value, it's probably stolen.
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✅ Get the serial numbers. Every regulator, BCD, and cylinder has one. If the seller refuses, walk away.
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✅ Check serial numbers against online forums, insurance companies, SA Police or with your local dive shop.
Protect Yourself: In Case of Theft
Now, let’s flip the script. What if your gear gets stolen? You want to make it as easy as possible to trace and recover.
Here’s how:
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📝 Record your serial numbers for all your major equipment—BCD, regulator, cylinder, computers.
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💻 Back it up. Email it to yourself, save it in the cloud, or keep a printed copy in your logbook.
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👮♂️ Report the theft to SAPS and get a case number. You can’t recover your gear without one.
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🔄 Notify your local dive shops and communities. The more eyes looking, the better.
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🧾 Keep your receipts. It proves ownership.
Without serial numbers, your chances of recovery drop to nearly zero. With them, we’ve helped divers reclaim stolen gear more than once.
The Bigger Picture: Community Responsibility
We can’t rely solely on the police. As a dive community, we need to protect ourselves—and each other.
Shops, instructors, and techs—if you see something dodgy, say something. Divers—don’t support sellers who “just seem off.” Question deals that don’t make sense. And always verify before you buy.
Manufacturers and distributors could also play a bigger role. It’s time for a national or even international stolen equipment registry—something like a VIN check for scuba gear. Serial numbers should be registered at purchase and flagged if reported stolen. The technology exists. It’s time the dive industry caught up.
Closing Thoughts
It’s heartbreaking when a diver loses their gear. It’s even worse when someone else in the same community is found using it and doesn’t care.
We’re all part of the same ocean-loving tribe. Let’s act like it.
Stay alert, stay honest, and protect your gear. And remember:
You wouldn’t buy a stolen bicycle, TV, or car—so why buy stolen dive gear?