Smith Moore - Munising - 1974

A group of about 15 divers out of Kansas City went to dive the wrecks in Munising. The first days dive was on the Bermuda with no problems. The second days dive was on the Smith Moore. The ride to the site was on a pontoon boat. The weather was overcast with a slight chop. All divers entered the water and followed the anchor line down to the bow of the Smith Moore. All divers were to ascend with the anchor line, however one diver surfaced a approx. 10 yards from the pontoon yelling for help, stating that he lost his partner. The other divers were returning without enough air to re-enter the water and there were no spare tanks on the pontoon boat.

According to the surviving partner, the two were ascending together away from the line. Within approx. 30 feet of the surface, the 15 year old victim started to panic indicating he could not breathe. The surviving diver attempted to position himself to buddy breathe however he lost his grip on his partner who then fell away. The surviving diver continued the ascent, seeking assistance upon surfacing. The diver's body was recovered the next day by the State Police. The body was lying on the deck of the Smith Moore. His mask was off his face and his weight belt was still in place. There was air in his tank, and all equipment was functioning properly.

It was determined afterwards that the diver had falsified his logbook to indicated that his experience level was greater than what it really was. The diver had been diving approximately 2 years. He was diving in a 1/4" suit and unaccustomed to the temperature at depth. No attempt was made to ditch the weight belt.

Diver Variables:
Inexperience: Positive
Equipment Failure: Negative
Inadequate Equipment: Negative
Equipment: 1/4" wetsuit. Single hose regulator with SPG. Single steel 72. Horse collar BC. Weight belt with quick release buckle.
Health Conditions: Negative
Panic: Positive
Solo Dive: Negative

Dive Variables:
Depth: Moderate
Penetration: Negative
Excessive Bottom Time: Negative
Low Air: Negative
Mixed Gas: Negative
Decompression Stop Required: Negative

Physical Variables:
Embolism: Negative
DCS: Negative
Narcosis: Negative
Oxygen Toxicity: Negative
Drowning: Positive