Lights, Camera, the Tuna Clipper!
Location: Catalina Island, California
Wreck/Site: Tuna Clipper (San Vito)
Divers:
Team 1: Jim Babor, Karim Hamza, Curtis Wolfslau
Team 2: Mario Cyr and Stephanie
Surface Support: Angie Biggs
Mission Impact: 500 square feet of net removed, documentary footage captured
Team Ghost Diving USA is very excited to share that we were approached by a French-Canadian documentary team working with PVP Media regarding our work. Their goal was to collect information about unique diving professions as a part of an upcoming series and their research brought them to us!
Ghost Diving USA team members met up with the production crew at the dock for the Giant Stride. After a round of introductions, the teams immediately sprang into action and started conducting pre-interviews. They first inquired about our surface support team. Angie answered questions about her role on the mission, safety protocols, and her experience.
Next, the Ghost Diving and production teams boarded the Giant Stride and settled in for the day. The initial plan was to conduct pre-interviews with the team on the crossing over to Catalina Island. Unfortunately, due to wind noise, this was not an feasible option. The boat was stopped a little bit away from the site of the Tuna Clipper so the teams could film more content. After arriving at the site, the teams suited up and prepared to get into the water.
The Ghost Divers were treated to spending time in the water with renowned underwater cinematographer, Mario Cyr. Mario and his dive partner, Stephanie, went down the anchor line to approximately 60 feet. They waited for the Ghost Divers to descend and filmed their descent and took some more underwater shots.
Jim, Karim, and Curtis, upon reaching the wreck, conducted a survey of the wreck and worked to remove 2 sections of net near the harbor seal carcass that was found during last month’s mission. They then moved to the stern of the wreck and removed one more section of net. The divers completed their decompression obligation and enjoyed beautiful blue water and calm seas.
Once the divers got back to the surface, they discovered that Mario and Stephanie had jumped in to help retrieve the lift bags with nets and swam them back to the boat. With everyone back on board, the team set sail back to the mainland. During the crossing home, they were able to conduct additional interviews. Upon reaching shore, the team and production crew met Taylor Griffith at AltaSea to give him the nets that were collected today. The documentary team was able to film more footage and conduct additional interviews with Taylor. They were also able to tour different areas of AltaSea.
This day was rewarding and exciting for our team. We enjoy building connections and spreading the message of our work in unique and new ways. A very special thank you to PVP Media and the entirety of their team and especially Mario and Stephanie for jumping in and taking opportunities to participate in our mission.
An additional special thank you goes to Captain Jim Simmerman of The Giant Stride for helping us make this day possible