Result of intensive training.....

Even with living in central Virginia and almost 400 miles from the Manasquan Inlet and the Point Pleasant Beach area of central New Jersey, I still get sent e-mails of team functions as well as calls to duty when incidents occur. This just happened a few days ago when Team Captain Chet Nesley sent out the call after it was reported a body was seen floating in the hurricane Irene swells that were running the length of the Manasquan Inlet. Point Pleasant Rescue Dive Team members rolled out and responded to the Inlet that was still taking a pounding from Irene that was still coming up the coast and dropping substantial amounts of rain along with hurricane force winds. Upon arrival team members discovered a body floating near the "Jacks" of the Manasquan Inlet and attempt was made to retrieve the lifeless body but a 7 to 10 foot rolling wave came down the inlet separating Chief Nesley who was 6 to 8 feet from the body that was then washed into the "Jacks"...
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The above photo shows Chief Nesley among the massive concrete jacks searching for the missing body that he was separated from a short time ago. Unfortunately the body could not be located and retrieved that night and was retrieved along with another victim the next day...
Several local news services covered this story and can be found here:
Here and Here.....



While sitting in Virginia and following developments of this incident by way of Internet reports, emails, Facebook postings, and telephone calls, I started work on the initial post for this site with some background research of prior incident response and training sessions at the Manasquan Inlet and the Jacks then being searched. This Rescue Dive\Scuba team is not like many teams that are part of local Fire department or First-Aid teams across the country. This team has been known to be out in and seen training in many diverse conditions practicing and improving their skills. Many of these training missions can be seen here and they have obviously paid off as evident of the posture and actions of this team of dedicated members...

Many years ago while working on my PADI Rescue certification as well as eventual PADI Divemaster certification, it was evident that this training was not of the "basic" variety that I fear many divers have been cheated with by dive shops and Instructors who were more interested in moving students thru the system as fast as possible and greatest profit margin. This I compare with the resort training that I saw while living in the Florida Keys where divers could get their Rescue certification in a weekend and learned many of the skills at the dock with 2 to 4" waves usually created by passing boats. In comparison the training that I was fortunate to receive was over a 5 to 6 week period with many sessions spent in often rough Jersey surf and follow-up debriefing sessions athe the local 7-eleven...

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Above photos show a frequent training session at the inlet and description here....

Above two photos show actual rescue at the Manasquan Inlet back in 2006 and description can be found here....

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POINT PLEASANT BEACH — The bodies of two cousins who told friends they were going out to the beach to see firsthand the arrival of Hurricane Irene in this seaside resort town were recovered from the jetty of the Manasquan Inlet on Monday, closing out a search effort that began Sunday evening after a call about a body spotted there...

Update: Link to new information on autopsies......

Body (2) recovery at Mannasquan Inlet after Hurricane Irene.....

First article of incidnt here...

Team description and additional info to follow......

Wooden Boat Show ~2011~

On Saturday, July 16, 2011, we once again participated in the Wooden Boat Festival at Huddy Park, Toms River. This event features dozens of antique, classic, and restored wooden boats on display, many open for visitors to board. You just had to watch out for the pirates that eternally seem to be running amok, but at least there was an ice cream festival down the street at the same time.

The event organizers were kind enough to spot our exhibit near one of the festival entrances, so we had a steady stream of visitors all day. The first gentleman we talked to, before we were even set-up, was actually a fall victim with a badly dislocated finger. We can't go ANYWHERE without a first aid call!

Joe had never worked one of these all-day events, but he's a quick study and jumped right in after Sue in manning the touch tank. This is still our biggest hit, both for children ("Animals!") and their parents ("Those live around here?"). We also took turns at our artifact table and with SCUBA man. How many photo ops can one dry suit take? We may never know...

The long day was also made fun by a troup of pirates-for-hire wandering, carousing, and generally riling things up. They were responsible for a couple of shootouts, a sword duel, and random cannon fire. One random passerby, who just really wanted to get some funnel cake, got stuck in the middle of their mayhem and was tossed over a bridge into the creek below. That's pirates for you.

By the end of the day, we'd once again met a lot of pleasant people happy to learn a little bit more about the natural Jersey Shore. We returned our specimens to Gull Island where they'd come from. Good luck to them all trying to explain their out-of-water experience to everyone back home!

Wedding Ring Recovery....

When someone needs help in the ocean, they call the U.S. Coast Guard. When the Coast Guard needs help, they call us. At least they did on Tuesday, June 14, 2011. No one was in immediate danger, except one crew member whose wedding band dropped off the dock at Station Manasquan. (We don't know if his marriage was in actual danger, but we all wanted to get his ring back just the same.)

Chief Nesley reported to the station that day and spent two-and-a-half hours down with an underwater metal detector, with negative results. He discovered afterwards that he had not been directed to check the correct area off the dock.

On Sunday, June 19, we brought a second crew back to the station, and this time we got to speak directly with the crew member who lost his ring. He pointed right to the spot where the ring dropped off and added that tide had been running out 2-3 hours at the time. We dropped an anchor to mark the center point of the search area, followed by a quarter to observe how a small object would interact with the substrate. Vis was good, but the sediment there is like pudding. The coin plopped halfway into the muck (and didn't go any further), but every touch of the bottom erupted a silt cloud. We figured that the underwater metal detectors might be necessary, so we adjusted the sensitivities to pick up small objects.

Joe and Sue first drifted over the entire search area for a rough visual scan. Not seeing our target, they came back to the dock where Chet and Brandon assisted in getting them both outfitted with the underwater metal detectors. They returned to the bottom to begin the tedious process of sweeping a pattern. Within a few minutes, Joe returned to the dock, seemingly fed up and frustrated. He choked and complained to the Chief about the job, right before he "coughed" the ring up onto the dock!

At some point, Joe went back down to recall Sue. We were glad to complete another successful search & recovery mission, and one Coast Guard crew member was glad to have his wedding band back

Atlantic Traveler wreck at Mannasquan Inlet

Today, June 26th, the Dive Team took another stab at cleaning up the debris leftover from the wreck of the Atlantic Traveler from several weeks ago. After the salvage company removed the bulk of the wreck, we had surveyed the area and shot some underwater video, revealing that several masses of netting and at least one metal pipe were sticking out of the sand south of Manasquan Inlet jetty, encroaching on the swimming area. Since the event, the lifeguards have been keeping people out of that zone. We were all looking forward to clearing this area.




Conditions were less than ideal, with 3-4 foot waves (sometimes bigger) rolling in sets and heavy surge tossing us back and forth. The only saving grace here was that, in those moments you weren't getting thrown around like a rag doll, the vis was good. Tom, Milton, Sue and Chet entered the water to clean up what we could while First Aiders Max, Sarah, and Sean helped on the beach with lines.

Sue and Tom first located the metal pipe sticking straight up out of the sand (within 2 feet of surface), so the flag was tied on to this as the center point of our search area. Pivoting around, they found several hunks of net sticking out of the sand and worked as best they could to cut away the masses for removal. After the bulk of the nets were removed, Milton and Chet proceeded to use a hacksaw to cut the pipe down to sand line. The first aid shore tenders pulled this pipe and Milton back to the beach. Sue tried to work on one last batch of netting on the swim back to the beach, but Chet finished the job with the hacksaw.

With everyone safe on shore, we showed all the debris and pipe to one of the lifeguard Captains and Jenkinson's staff, reporting that everything we found was cut back down to sand line and removed. They were pleased with these results in that a little more beach can be opened up safely for use again.

The vessel sank outside the south Jetty in an Ocean Environment in an upside down position. After more than three weeks of inclement weather, Donjon Marine was able to mobilize its 400-ton capacity Derrick barge Columbia, NY from its home base in Port Newark, New Jersey to perform the wreck removal of the vessel.
http://www.maritime-executive.com/pressrelease/donjon-marine-completes-work-on-sunken-atlantic-traveler-in-manasquan-new-jersey

June 10 - Donjon Marine mobilised its 400 tonne capacity derrick barge, Columbia, NY, to salvage the fishing boat Atlantic Traveler, which had sank after hitting the South Jetty of Manasquan Inlet off Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, USA.
http://www.heavyliftpfi.com/content/NewsItem.aspx?id=2949

F/V Atlantic Traveler
Manasquan Inlet, NJ 2011-May-11
On May 11, 2011 at 0451 EDT the 64' fishing vessel Atlantic Traveler sank outside of Manasquan Inlet, N.J. The vessel has 3,150 gallons of diesel onboard. This is about 600' from shore. Light sheen has been reported emanating from the vessel. All three people on board were removed safely.

Incident Details
Spill, potential spill, or other: Oil Spill
Cause of incident: Sunken Vessel
Products of concern: Diesel
Total amount at risk of spill: 3,150 gallons


Latitude (approximate): 40° 5.90' North
Longitude (approximate): 74° 1.80' West
http://www.incidentnews.gov/incident/8319

Artificial Reef....

World Oceans Day ~2011~

World Oceans Day is celebrated this week, so last Saturday, June 4, 2011, Jenkinson's Aquarium invited us to join their local celebration. This has become an annual event for us. This year, "1-2-3 and the Seas" and a Dr. Seuss theme in the aquarium's classroom made sure that, if nothing else, Sue would get a fun souvenir.

We first set up our table display with shells, bottles, and other artifacts, all collected from local waters. Display boards were also up about the First Aid Squad and Dive Team. Families stopped by throughout the day with questions about what lives out there and how we have to dress to dive throughout the seasons. "Drysuit Guy" was again a popular photo op. For one family, the exact minute we were explaining how we locate bottles, one of our archive videos of fanning for bottles rolled around - great timing! We could stop talking and they could see for themselves.

The Aquarium scheduled us to conduct three dive demonstrations in the seal tank over the course of the day. We always start with who we are and what it's like to dive in New Jersey. From the front of the seal tank, families then watched us perform some basic skills (mask flood-and-clear, mask removal and replacement, regulator recovery, hovering, etc.). Chet and Joe went first. Joe's first time in here went really well - it helps to have a theater background! Teams of Doug/Sue and Tom/Milton took their turns too, including videotaping from the inside of the tank. (How often does an exhibit take pictures of you?) The divers in the tank also challenged kids outside to a race and a high jump with Flo and Sue as referees.

It was an all-around fun day at the Aquarium with a lot to learn about the ocean. And Sue did get a Dr. Seuss crown.

Visit http://worldoceansday.org/ to see how others around the world celebrated.

Fishing Boat Wreck ~Manansquan Inlet~

The crew, who were aboard the Atlantic Traveler, were unable to control the vessel after its hydraulic hose broke, and they lost their clutch and steering and began drifting toward the rocks, the spokeswoman said. The men had left port here, but it was unknown how long they were at sea before the boat capsized.

They were taken back to the station in Manasquan, where they received medical attention and were released, a Coast Guard spokeswoman said

Weapon Recovery Training....

On Sunday, March 20, 2011, twelve members of the Dive Team were able to attend a lecture given at the Mantoloking Police Department on Underwater Evidence Recovery. Lt. John Barcus, a former member of the Squad and our current Liaison to the Mantoloking PD, delivered a very informative session sprinkled with real world scenarios and practical advice. Although the focus of the session was on firearms, it was made clear that many of the procedures and protocols apply to every underwater search and recovery operation.

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Lt. Barcus outlined a general set of guidelines/sequence of events that should happen on any recovery dive call. The initial steps include contact with the Police OIC on arrival at a scene and a formal briefing from the Investigator. As every case is unique, knowing what you're looking for, where it is likely to be, and when and how it ended up in the water are all necesary. This baseline information will help in the planning of an efficent, safe search operation. When the initial search is conducted, the Police will defer to the Dive Team when it comes to actual dive protocols and safety management.

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If evidence is located within the search zone, it is vital that the find initially be documented, but not disturbed. Instead, we are to mark the site and/or keep a diver with the evidence, and a diver should return to the surface for recontact with the Police. An Investigator will want to view evaluate photos or a video right then and there. He/she can then provide directives on how that particular piece of evidence needs to be handled in its recovery, both from a safety perspective and for the sake of maintaining its forensic value. Lt. Barcus had numerous firearms, some involved in actual cases, available for us to view and handle, and he demonstrated the proper ways to handle (and not handle) them, underwater or otherwise.

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Lt. Barcus also discussed Chain of Custody issues when it comes to handling evidence. In general, the fewer hands from locating evidence to it being handed and signed over to an Investigator, the better. With a formal debriefing and the voluminous, obligatory documentation, even a session involving very little bottom time could run for a very long time when it's all said and done. Every case is unique, so you just don't know. However, if a criminal case's investigation is dependent on its forensic evidence, we'd like to think that we could provide a valid piece of the picture. Many thanks go to John and the rest of the Mantoloking Police Department. There might be too many crabs down there for him, but us and the PD are prepared to mutually support each other in an underwater evidence recovery.

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2011 Fishermen's Flea Market.....GUARANTEED TO SINK....

On Sunday, February 20, 2011, the Dive Team participated in what has become an annual fundraiser. Ocean Fire Company #1 has been hosting a Fishing Flea Market at Antrim Elementary School in the middle of town for many years now, and they have been generous enough to provide us one free table for our own fundraising purposes.




As in the past, our table mostly featured lead sinkers and recycled jokes. Once customers were indeed convinced that all of our merchandise had been field-tested, pre-seasoned, guaranteed to sink, and found in the USA, many were happy to make a small donation for the salvaged goods (and so we would stop the bad jokes). They were especially reassured that we would refund TWICE the purchase price of any sinkers if they were found to float.



All told, we sold over 1000 pounds of lead, plus recovered antique bottles, anchors, grappling hooks, and fishing poles. Normally, Larry the Singing Lobster would have provided our musical accompaniment, but when he wouldn't shut up with "Don't Rock the Boat" and "Let Me Take You on a Sea Cruise" early on, he got deep-sixed under the table.



In the middle of all this, we also covered two first aid calls and took shifts to visit the SCUBA Flea Market in Toms River.

We moved a lot of merchandise (most of it heavy), but with 11 members committing to the day, it all worked out. Once again, thanks go to the fire company for giving us the opportunity one more year.

North Atlantic White side Dolphin Rescue.....

Wed Feb 9, 2011, Call for stranded dolphin in mantoloking. First on scene where volunteers from Jenkinsons aquarium, Tom Trafer was first of the dive team to respond followed by Doug hack and Tom Conroy.

There were also 2 members of the Mantoloking Police department there We stayed on scene waiting for Marine mammal stranding center to arrive. The fact that it was on such a deserted beach kept the onlookers away. We kept the dolphin's skin wet by pouring water over it.

The MMSC (Marine Mammal Stranding Center) identified it as a young North Atlantic White side. Once they arrived we loaded the dolphin into a sling and transported it up to their waiting vehicle.