On the morning of April 15th I received a request from the Eau Claire Fire Department for aid in locating a missing boater in Dells Pond located in the City of Eau Claire. Two men went out fishing and the boat filled with water and sank. One was able to make it back to shore and survived. I arrived around 9 am and had a briefing of the incident. The boat was still on the bottom of the lake with the gas tank floating and still attached to the boat. I was about 40 minutes into our search when we came across our target using the Klein 3900 sonar tow fish. There was no doubt after a couple of passes. We then deployed our metal dog kennel in the lake and worked that within 10’ of our target. Meanwhile, the Eau Claire Fire Department Dive Team suited up. They entered the water soon after and made a quick recovery of the missing boater.
I was then asked to aid in the recovery of the boat. The dive team made the connection to the boat along with a lift bag. We then towed it to shore for the flatbed wrecker.
The operation went so smooth with very little risk to the divers. We could tell that there was no debris in the immediate area. By putting our cage next to the target, which is on a line to the surface with a float, the diver just needs to follow it down with little time spent looking underwater.
I would like to commend the Eau Claire Fire Department, first for reaching out for assistance and second for doing a professional job. Way too often departments will not allow us to assist even when I have called and made the offer. Not only does this system keep the divers safer but allows for a faster outcome for the families involved.
For more on this click on this link
http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/Search-underway-after-boat-capsizes-on-Dells-Pond-in-Eau-Claire375644111.html