Saturday March 21, we received a call from Eau Claire Fire Dept. to aid them in a vehicle recovery in the Chippewa River. UW Student of Eau Claire WI, 21-year-old Chloe Zielke, was believed to be in the vehicle.
Nick G, Bob C and I, traveled to Eau Claire. The river was very high and flowing around 10-12 knots, way too fast to put divers in. The fire department had the car located by sonar. We put the ROV in and found that the car was upside down. I had a hook and rope that we were hoping to hook the vehicle with. The current was flowing too fast. The fire department had a heavy-duty hook made and spent the rest of the day trying to hook the car, with no success.
We came back Tuesday with a plan. Nick made a special hook (he is the most amazing fabricator). The gravel bottom and current speed would not allow the use of anchors to secure the boat. We had to tie the boat off with a three point tie off to shore This took about 1000’ of rope. This allowed us to move the boat exactly in position over the car to place the hook in the A arm. The car was in 22’ of water. With the cooperation of the dam operators, we coordinated the timing for them to hold back the flow. This was the key to allow us to get the car hooked. With a camera in place near Nick’s hook, Dave W. viewed the camera to guide Bob’s boat positioning precisely. This allowed Nick to place his hook through the A arm of the car. The wrecker then was able to remove the vehicle. Chloe was inside the vehicle.
Family members went out of their way to come to the boat landing to tell us what it meant to them to have Chloe back. This is the reason why we do what we do.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Chloe’s family and friends.
Video of recovery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJBDXJqU0EI