Drew Kibler Visits the Tuna Clipper
Location: Catalina Island, California
Wreck/Site: The Tuna Clipper
Divers:
Team 1: Michael Gasbarro, Jung Hseih, Symeon Manias
Team 2: Shane McWilliams, Daniel Pio, Rene Tetter
Surface Support: Jim Babor, Angie Biggs, Katie McWilliams
Mission Impact: 200 square feet of net removed and taken for recycling/upcycling
As we all know, chasing ghost gear is a team sport. Our friends at Healthy Seas are partnered with Arena, a competitive swimwear manufacturer that has committed to environmental wellness. They asked if some members of the Arena team could tag along with team GDUSA on a mission and we enthusiastically accepted!
We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day! The sky was full of fluffy clouds, the sunrise was stunning, and everyone was excited for a day of adventure. As the morning progressed and coffee was had, presentations were given about Ghost Diving USA, Healthy Seas and the relationship between the two. There was a lot of excited discussion about the UB-88 Project and various other aspects of what we do. As we continued across the ocean to Catalina Island, it was incredible to see the immediate camaraderie and connection amongst the group. Drew shared stories about the Paris Olympics, asked lots of questions about the work of GDUSA, and generally about scuba diving and underwater photography.
Once we arrived to the site of the Tuna Clipper, there was a flurry of activity. Divers were gearing up, Jim was orienting the Arena team about what the divers are doing and their in-water tasks and objectives.
After divers got in the water, we all excitedly waited to see the lift bags pop up to the surface. The Arena team of photographers and content creators worked to complete interviews and other tasks. After completing their tasks, it was getting close to time for divers to come back.
This is where things got exciting; Drew wanted to brave the cold waters and decided to jump in above our divers on their 20 foot decompression stop! He patiently waited for the surface marker buoy to appear, geared up in his wetsuit and dove in! He swam out to the divers, dove down, waved hello and then supported our team by pulling in one of our lift bags of net!
Divers were successful in meeting their objectives, new friendships were formed, we all gained new insight and understanding of each other and had a fantastic time doing it all.
A special thanks to Captain Kyaa and her crew aboard the Sundiver, our partner Healthy Seas for the opportunity, and our new friends at Arena!
