Posted by Kendall Raine on September 18, 2001 at 09:20:07:
Since news of this has already been posted by Chris, the following are the facts of the recovery.
A combined team of civilian and Sheriffs Department divers conducted a successful search and recovery of a 63 year old male diver yesterday at Farnsworth Banks. The team dove from Mr. C captained by Ray Arntz.
The victim was lost 16 days ago from a dive group from Arizona diving off Bottom Scratcher. The victim was located in 146 fsw on his back. His mask was on and regulator out of his mouth. The SPG indicated zero pressure. He was wearing approximately 28 lbs of weight. The weight belt was partially off. Some of the gear appreared to be rented. The civilian dive team located the victim nine minutes into the dive. The victim was marked and left in place for inspection and recovery by Sheriffs Department divers. A family member has noted the victim had four dives logged prior to the incident.
The civilian dive team was Mike Kane, Fred Colburn, Patrick Farina and Kendall Raine. The team was diving trimix and used scooters on the search. Terry May served as surface coordinator and support diver for the team. Captain Ray Arntz worked from detailed and accurate information from the captain of the Bottom Scratcher to survey the bottom terrain and define a search pattern. The pattern was a straight line search sweep bearing due east towards the Farnsworth high spot. The search team operated as a four man team scootering abreast 25 feet apart. Captain Ray put the hook within approximately 200 yards of the victim.
These are the facts. I would ask members of this Board to remember that family and friends of the victim may read this Board.