BAMSAR MINUTES
Minutes of the May, 2005, BAMSAR meeting, held at Hampton Dive Center. Thanks to Randy Randazzo for his hospitality.
Present: Bayport, Bellport, Mastic, Center Moriches. Guest: Hampton Dive Center.
Excused: None.
Old Business:
Dive Rescue 1 is cancelled, due to lack of students available.
Dive Rescue 2 (Columbus Day weekend; 08, 09, 10 October) is still on, and Tim will ask Dive Rescue if we can get this to be a boat-based course, instead of shore-based.
Boating Safety Week activities: No progress.
Surf Entry/Operator course: No report.
New Business:
Discussion was held in reference to the drowning at Bayport. Thanks to Chief Feinberg for this report.
Lessons Learned: Bayport found that this was a very good scene, as far as cooperation between the Coast Guard, Fire and Police Departments, and EMS. Police sector car requested the Bayport dive team, immediately upon his reaching the scene. Bayport requested mutual aid from surrounding water rescue teams and initiated witness interviews, while PD marine units retrieved the surviving victim from a kayaker. PD dropped a marker where the survivor was taken off the kayak. Witnesses stated, during a second FD interview, that the buoy was approximately several hundred feet east of where the second victim was last seen. Upon the arrival of the Coast Guard, all boats were transferred to Coast Guard command. The Coast Guard dropped a Datum Marker Buoy (DMB) to assist in drift calculations, and proceeded to search the surface, while FD and PD divers continued diving (jointly) in the area that the person was last seen. Due to unfamiliarity with our (FD) procedures, the Police readied to deploy recovery divers, at about the 45 minute mark. Bayport’s Chiefs quickly acquainted the PD with our procedures, and the search continued, until called off, on account of darkness. Side-scan sonar search the following day came up with negative results. The body of the deceased surfaced later that week, in Brown’s River, along the east breakwater. Witness statements were found to be very accurate and consistent, throughout the incident. Family and the media were “camped out” in the parking lot of a restaurant nearby, and were kept updated. A good joint/central command was established early, and adhered to throughout the incident. We need to ensure that not only are the Police are aware of our rescue priorities and procedures, but other dive/ water rescue teams are, as well. This all contributes to a smooth operation.
Randy, and Sandy (HDC), and Tim (BAMSAR), are looking to find a way to underwrite the cost of sinking a trawler in one of the reefs offshore, in memory of Captain Ken and his wife, Jean Marie, of the Shinnecock dive boat “Jean Marie”, who died in April, in a car accident in Florida. As many of us knew Ken and Jean, and remember their passion for diving, this was judged as a fitting way to honor their memory. In order to scuttle a vessel, permits and money for sanitizing the vessel are needed. On the money end, a 50/50 raffle was proposed, to raise money for the approximately $5,000 to $10,000 that would be needed to undertake this. Suggested price of the tickets would be $50 each. They will plan this out and get back to us next month.
A memorial dive and barbeque is also in the works, for Ponquogue. Time and date, TBA.
It’s unknown as to what will happen to the dive boat Jean Marie. It’s currently in drydock, awaiting an engine refit. Once the refit is complete, Ken and Jean’s heirs will decide what will be done with her.
Randy has renewed his lease and insurance on the quarry, starting 1 June. He reports that there is approximately 15 to 20 feet of visibility in the quarry.
Training:
Sunday, 22 May, 0900: At the Quarry. Anyone interested, please contact John at o_foghladha@yahoo.com with how many attending.
Saturday, 28 May: Mastic. Time and place to be announced.
Sunday, 05 June, 0900: Bayport. Surface water rescue.
Islip Town-wide water rescue drill, in June. Time and place to be announced.
Next meeting: Thursday, 09 June, 2005, at 1930, at Bellport.
June 09th Bellport
July 14th South Country
August 11th Brookhaven
September 08th Eastport
October 13th Bayport
November 10th Mastic
No December Meeting
Any corrections, additions, or questions; please contact the Secretary.
Respectfully,
John Foley