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I wish this were a clickbait headline, but this is a true story that took place aboard the Beachhopper II. It is vital to share this experience so we can all learn from the events that unfolded.
It started as a typical Saturday open charter, featuring experienced divers, good weather, and visibility exceeding 25 feet. Winds were less than 10 knots, the current was manageable, and there were no injuries or accidents to speak of. During the course of the second dive, one of the divers, like many others, tied a strobe light to the anchor a few feet above the bottom before leaving the anchor location. This practice is common; divers use strobe lights or reels to help them locate the anchor line before their ascent.
However, at the end of this particular dive, the diver couldn’t find his strobe light. It had become detached from the anchor line during their dive. Upon returning to the Beachhopper II, the crew asked if anyone had seen or noticed the lost strobe light floating on the surface. It was daytime, but no fellow divers or dive staff on the boat reported seeing the wayward strobe light. Despite the unfortunate loss, the day concluded with great dives and just one missing strobe light.
The next morning, Captain MaryJo received a phone call from the United States Coast Guard District 11 in San Francisco. They inquired if she had knowledge of a missing diver from the day before. The questions continued between her and the USCG investigating officer.
That evening, the Coast Guard received a report from someone on shore who believed a diver was in distress off the coast with a strobe light illuminated in the water. Consequently, the USCG launched a search with two assets: a Monterey-based vessel and a helicopter from the Bay Area.
In the end, the strobe light that was located matched the description of the one belonging to the diver who had lost it, hence the reason for my article title: The $250K Strobe Light, a number given to MaryJo from the USCG.
By now, I’m sure everyone reading this is pondering how to prevent such events in the future. If you use a strobe light, consider how best to secure it and what to do if it goes missing. The Beachhopper II staff will now immediately report a lost strobe light to the Coast Guard Monterey to avert unnecessary searches for missing divers. But as divers, whether from shore or aboard another vessel, we must be aware of how even a small oversight can lead to significant consequences for first responders and the public at large. The wayward strobe light was returned to the owner.
As a reminder, the staff of Beachhopper asks divers not to tie off to the anchor chain to prevent fouling. Instead, tie off to the anchor line—specifically the braided nylon portion—and secure it very well. This applies to reels as well, reducing the possibility of fouling the anchor system. Another option is to secure your strobe light to something close to the anchor, ensuring it won’t come loose, regardless of current or surge. If you do lose a strobe light, report the incident to the Captain, or if you’re on shore, call the Monterey USCG at 831-647-7300 to report the lost gear. Also, consider labeling your strobe light with your name and phone number using a permanent marker.
Thank you for reading this article. Please remember that safe diving affects all of us in the hobby and industry. As always, don’t hesitate to ask MaryJo if you have any questions. Our goal is to see your smile upon returning to the vessel.
Dive Smart, Dive Safe, and Smile!
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