In Reply to: Body of diver recovered from sunken ship posted by on June 28, 2005 at 13:53:23:

It was not my intention to discuss details of where Steve Donathan's
body was found until after Wednesday evening, but unfortunately it has
gotten picked up by the local regular media (TV news, U-T). Since they
often muddle things, I'll give the information I have now. It raises
some issues. It's important that whatever dealing with these issues
that you all do be respectful.

On the lower levels of the Yukon, in the middle (fore to aft middle),
is the boiler room. The boiler room is a crowded, dangerous place (for
divers), and was never intended for divers when the Yukon was prepared
for sinking. It was not prepped for divers as the rest of the ship
was, and all access points were welded shut. In other words, it was
off limits... and for good reason.

At least one of those access points has been opened, probably by human
action (not deterioration). Steve's body was found well within the
boiler room, past that now open access. They had some difficulty
removing him from the boiler room.

This access point has not (yet) been welded back shut, although it is
now chained and locked. The SD Lifeguard Service has lifted the
restriction on the Yukon, meaning that you can go dive it again. If
you see a chained shut access point, do the right thing and stay out.

John