Diving Accidents

Published on: June 28, 2022

Search for Missing Washington Diver Suspended

It is with great sadness that we report a 33-year-old diver from Edmonds, Washington is missing and presumed deceased. The diver has been identified as Hans Korompis, a talented young chef known for combining the flavors of his native Singapore with those of Central America and the Pacific Northwest.

Mr. Korompis and his diving partner entered the waters of Puget Sound near Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington on the morning of June 17^th. Mukilteo police and fire departments were summoned by a “diver-in-distress” call at about 9:15am. Visibility and conditions at the time of the disappearance were reported as poor.

Units from the U.S. Coast Guard, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Everett Police, Everett Fire, Mountlake Terrace Police, Marysville Police and Washington State Ferries began searching, using search and rescue boats, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, and several drones. The weeklong search proved unsuccessful and has been called off.

Published on: March 9, 2021

Port Angeles Man Dies in Diving Accident

by James Jacobsen

It is with great sadness that we report the death of a commercial diver who was working in the waters of Port Angeles. According to a statement issued by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Anthony Gockerell, 35, died after his air cable apparently became entangled.

Peninsula Communications received the call that a commercial diver working at the Dungeness West geoduck track was in distress. Crewmembers reported that Gockerell signaled to the crew that his surface-supplied air umbilical cord was “unable to clear”, which the crew interpreted to mean that his cord was entangled in debris.

It was reported that crewmembers and officers with the State Department of Natural Resources (who were supervising the geoduck harvest) struggled for approximately two minutes before freeing Mr. Gockerell, who was diving in about 70 feet of water.

Published on: September 2, 2019

25 Victims Found, 9 People Missing After Diving Vessel Fire

by Joseph Stacey

At approximately 3:30 a.m. on Monday, Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach watchstanders overheard a mayday call on channel 16 that a 75-foot commercial diving vessel carrying 39 people was engulfed in flames.

Watchstanders launched two Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crews, a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Forward Operating Base Mugu Dolphin MH-65 helicopter crew, a Coast Guard Air Station San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, as well as the Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal.

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Kroll reported that of the 39 people aboard the dive vessel CONCEPTION, twenty-five people are confirmed dead and nine are still missing. Victims have been found, but due to unsafe conditions under the boat, divers are currently unable to recover the bodies.

Published on: September 18, 2018

Diver Injured at Wreckage Site

by Joseph Stacey

A diver was medevaced after an accident that occurred about nine miles northeast of False Pass, Alaska on Thursday, September 13th. The diver was working on a wreckage project, when a piece of underwater debris broke loose and pinned him to the ocean floor at a depth of approximately 65 feet. After several minutes, the diver was able to free himself and make his way to the surface; however, it was reported that he sustained injures to the left side of his body and was bleeding from his nose.

The dive master aboard the vessel MAKUSHIN BAY called watchstanders at the 17th District command center in Juneau at about 1:50pm to report the accident, and the Coast Guard duty flight surgeon recommended the medevac. A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew out of Air Station Kodiak was in Cold Bay on another transport, and was able to safely deliver their patient then travel to the injured diver. He was hoisted aboard, then transported to medical care in Cold Bay.

“The diver’s ability to free himself, coupled with our aircrew’s proximity to the accident today provided a favorable outcome,” said Lt. Stephen Nolan, command duty officer for the case. “The aircrew just so happened to be in Cold Bay on a separate, unrelated mission. As vast a place as Alaska is, being able to get to someone who needs help in time is always one of the biggest challenges our crews face. We were grateful to be able to do that today.”

Published on: April 21, 2017

Diver Dies In Puget Sound Near Fox Island

by Joseph Stacey

It is with great sadness that we report the death of a 36-year-old diver. The Pierce County Sheriff’s office dive team responded to a 911 call at approximately 2 p.m. on Tuesday April 18, 2017. They were informed that the diver was unresponsive just south of the Navy Surface Warfare Center on Fox Island.

Responders attempted CPR on the diver as they took him to the Navy dock where Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One met them. Efforts to revive the man continued as he was transported to Saint Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, where he was pronounced deceased.

According to a Pierce County spokesman, the man was a geoduck diver working on a commercial vessel for the Squaxin Island Tribe. Because the incident happened on a commercial vessel, The U.S. Coast Guard will lead the investigation.

Published on: October 31, 2016

Whatcom County Man Dies in Scuba Diving Accident

by Joseph Stacey

Hank William Hoskins Sr. of Whatcom County died on October 26, 2016, after a scuba diving accident at Gooseberry Point near Sucia Island.

According to Bellingham Fire Department Assistant Chief Bill Hewett, the diver’s oxygen supply was cut off due to an apparent equipment malfunction at approximately 4 p.m.

It was reported by the boat crew that Mr. Hoskins, who was diving for sea urchins, had been underwater for about 5 minutes before being pulled aboard. He was rushed by boat about 10 miles east of Sucia Island to Gooseberry Point, where aid crews helped bring him ashore. Mr. Hoskins could not be revived. He was 40 years old.

Published on: August 30, 2016

Student Diver Rescued Near Seacrest Park Has Died, West Seattle, WA

by Joseph Stacey

The 22-year-old student diver who was rescued near Seacrest Park in West Seattle on August 28th, has died.

The police report states that visibility underwater was very poor. Divers were signaled to surface, and all three divers in the class gave a “thumbs up” sign, indicating that they understood. However, upon reaching the surface, only two students were accounted for; the instructor was unable to locate the third student diver and 911 was dispatched.

The missing student diver was found approximately 30 minutes later in 69 feet of water. She was brought to the surface and medics performed CPR. Seattle Fire Medic 32 rushed the woman to Harborview Medical Center. She died shortly after 2:30pm.

Published on: August 28, 2016

Student Diver in Critical Condition Rescued off Alki Beach, West Seattle, WA

by Joseph Stacey

A 20-year old student diver in critical condition was rescued off Alki Beach in West Seattle on August 28, 2016. According to Seattle Fire Department (SFD) Captain Shata Stephenson, the diver “was within her first five dives.” An initial investigation indicates that she was paired with a partner and they became disoriented while diving. The partner surfaced, expecting that the other diver would, too, but she did not. She was missing in 40 feet of water for about 30 minutes before SFD divers found her and brought her to a SFD boat. A Coast Guard helicopter flew her to Harborview Medical Center.

The diving accident was assisted by the US Coast Guard, SFD, Seattle Police Harbor Patrol, and members of the diving class.

photo credit to Seattle Times

Published on: October 9, 2014

INJURED DIVER MEDEVACED FROM FISHING VESSEL TERESA JEAN NEAR PATOS ISLAND AND FLOWN TO VIRGINIA MASON HOSPITAL IN SEATTLE

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

On September 23, 2014 at 1:15 pm, a crewmember of the fishing vessel TERESA JEAN, located off Patos Island in the San Juan Islands, called the US Coast Guard in Bellingham, WA to report that a diver needed immediate assistance due to decompression sickness. According to the Coast Guard report, their response boat arrived less than 30 minutes later and transferred the injured diver to their boat. Ten minutes later, the Coast Guard helicopter DOLPHIN flew in from Port Angeles, WA and successfully medevaced the 22-year old diver to Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle. It is unknown whether the involved diver was engaged in recreational or commercial diving operations. Strict federal and state safety regulations apply to commercial divers. The diver’s condition was not known.

Published on: August 22, 2014

MISSING DIVER RESCUED BY COAST GUARD

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

Near Cape Flattery, Washington, on Tuesday the 19th of August, a Coast Guard Motor Life Boat located and rescued a diver who had been reported missing. The diver had been separated from his friend after he didn’t resurface after the agreed upon amount of dive time. The thick fog that morning limited visibility, and so the Coast Guard were alerted.
Along with the Motor Life Boat, a Dolphin helicopter crew was also launched from Port Angeles. The diver was found waving to the Life Boat, and was taken to Station Neah Bay, where he was in good condition. He was taken to the hospital for further medical evaluation. Chief Petty Officer Raymond Anderson thanked his crew, the diver, and his friend for their proficiency, which allowed the diver to be found safely.