In Reply to: body recovered posted by Jim on November 14, 2016 at 15:23:39:

Rescuers on Monday recovered the body of a 45-year-old Huntington Beach man who disappeared while possibly diving for lobster about 3 miles north of the Manhattan Beach Pier in El Segundo, authorities said.

Sheriff’s deputies located Jeff Tolly’s body about 11 a.m. inside a 10-foot-wide intake pipe leading to the NRG Energy facility on Vista del Mar, north of the El Porto beach parking lot. It was unclear what happened once he entered the pipe, which sits in an area where lobster can be found on the rocks and structures.

The area, however, is popular for scuba divers interested in scooping up lobsters. The intake pipes were not turned on, authorities said.

NRG spokesman David Knox said the company had no immediate comment on what happened.

“We are supporting the state and local officials as they investigate this,” Knox said.

One of Tolly’s friends reported him missing about 10 a.m. Sunday. Tolly was diving while his friend remained in the boat. Lobster season opened Oct. 1. Tolly was wearing a black diving suit, black fins and a black scuba tank.

U.S. Coast Guard officers, along with Los Angeles County lifeguards and firefighters, searched on boats with the assistance of helicopters late into Sunday night. They continued about 7 a.m. Monday aboard a 45-foot boat. Lifeguards also used a remote-controlled submarine underwater.

Sheriff’s Department divers also combed the water. One would have had to enter the pipe to find Tolly, police said.

Los Angeles County Lifeguard spokesman Spencer Parker said the NRG plant has a history of divers searching for lobsters around it.

“It wouldn’t be uncommon for someone to dive inside the pipe,” Parker said.

The Sheriff’s Department will conduct the death investigation.

Tolly was general manager of a residential and commercial landscaping business in Orange. He had appeared on the PBS show “Garden Smart.”

Tolly was husband to wife Kristy and father to three children — Justin, Lacey, and Lucas.

“His family will have closure and we all will mourn together,” friend Lana Briggs Miller wrote on Facebook. “Rest in peace my sweet, sweet friend.”

Following Tolly’s disappearance, friends had posted pleas for prayers for a miracle and thanked First Responders for their work trying to find him alive. Once news broke of his death, friends posted prayers for his family.

“In his rest may he be an angel looking down upon his family, rejoicing in all they do and may his family live in the knowledge that he is watching over them always,” wrote Lori Giovenco. “In his loving honor we smile.”

Parker said divers should always “plan your dive (and) dive your plan” and always use the “buddy system” with at least one more person.

“Diving in confined spaces underwater is very dangerous,” Parker said.

• http://www.dailybreeze.com/general-news/20161114/body-of-missing-huntington-beach-scuba-diver-found-off-el-segundo

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