One dead, one missing (since found), 300 foot dive - Lake Michigan

[DandyDon]

1 dead, 1 missing following scuba diving accident in Lake Michigan, MPD launches criminal investigation

The U.S. Coast Guard got a call Friday afternoon of a scuba diver unconscious and floating in the water.

“The dive charter pulled that person on board, began doing CPR," U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Alexander Hill said. "We launched our 45 foot response boat here in Milwaukee, and a helicopter launched from the air facility in Waukegan.”

The first diver was later pronounced dead at the Coast Guard station.

But the diving expedition was not able to stop right away because the divers were 300 feet under water.

“When we picked up the first diver, they still had three divers in the water," Hill said. "So the dive boat obviously had to stay on scene because the depth that they were diving required decompression steps to come back up. So they obviously couldn’t leave the scene with the divers in the water.

The Coast Guard later got a second call, that one of the three remaining divers was separated from the group.

“We thought the first case was kind of a standalone," Hill said. "And when we found out there was a second person missing, our boat went out, the helicopter refueled.”

Milwaukee Police are now taking over a criminal investigation and were photographing scuba equipment of the diving boat “the Alma” which returned to the investigation scene.

The Coast Guard wants to stress safety when utilizing lake Michigan this summer.

“Boating traffic is going to increase," Hill said. "Recreational use of the lake is going to increase. We just want to remind people to be safe. Check your equipment, let someone know where you’re going, and just be safe on the water.”

We called the Illinois company that owns the Alma. When we identified ourselves as media, they hung up.

Updated: 6:56 p.m. on June 28, 2019

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A woman died in a scuba diving accident in Lake Michigan Friday, according to the Milwaukee Medical Examiner's Office. No further details have been provided, pending family notification.

The search continues for a second diver who is missing.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office says these divers were part of a five person diving team. Three divers were reportedly rescued.

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Posted: 5:47 p.m. on June 28, 2019

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Coast Guard officials are looking for a missing scuba diver in Lake Michigan and have rushed another unconscious diver from the same boat on to land.

The Coast Guard says this is happening about 20 miles off shore and involves a recreational diving boat.

The diver that has been pulled was unconscious and had CPR performed on him before he was taken back to shore.

Right now crews are in the water looking for that second diver.

"There are certain factors that will dictate how long we can be out there, and that has to do with the environmental conditions on scene, how long our crew can be out safe," U.S. Coast Guard Executive Petty Officer Alexander Hill said. "We call it the fatigue factor, how much fuel they have on scene obviously before they have to come back in."

This is an active situation happening 20 miles off the Milwaukee shoreline.

 

[Griffo]

Two dead on one deep tech dive? Tragic

 

[chillyinCanada]

Why is it a criminal investigation?

 

[Manatee Diver]

Why is it a criminal investigation?

Standard practice for some departments to at least document any death that isn't obviously due to natural causes.

 

[AfterDark]

I have a question. Rebreathers? Let me guess, yes.

 

[Marie13]

I’ve dived off this boat several times. Captain is very good and very safety conscious. He’s a rebreather diver and tech instructor himself.

 

[Marie13]

If they were doing a 300ft wreck, I’m not sure which one it would be. The Alma is based out of Milwaukee. The usual deeper tech wrecks out of Milwaukee are the Grace Channon, Emba, and St. Albans, which are in the 175-200ft range.

 

[Marie13]

Article says 17 miles off shore. That could be the LR Doty, 330ft to the bottom, I believe.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

Why is it a criminal investigation?

I don't know what the protocols are on the Great Lakes but our dive team treats every recovery as a criminal investigation. Evidence is gathered regardless if it is a simple drowning or not.

Could be testing tanks as well. It's the media, accuracy is optional. Given the depth they could have said oxygen tanks and for once had a chance of being right! (Oxygen deco bottles)

Sad to hear. I was looking at this boat and other Double Action boats for a weekend trip. I doubt it's the boats fault at 300 feet....

Jay

 

[TheAquaticApe]

The outfit is first rate and very safety conscious from my personal experience. A very sad occurrence.

Chris