Like many
in the community I am filled with deep sadness over the tragic deaths of the 34
souls lost on the vessel Conception in
almost unimaginable circumstances.
As a longtime
member of our diving community who has been on the Conception, my sorrow is made more poignant by the belief that
those who perished did so while driven by a shared love of the exquisite beauty
surrounding our Channel Islands.
Also, as
a former member of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Dive Team
with experience in such efforts, my grief is coupled with a personal knowledge
and keen appreciation of the difficult nature of these efforts. This is
physically demanding and emotionally draining but important work.