Our Mission
We are a Volunteer, Non-Profit Organization that assists the Kitsap County Sheriffs Office with Water Search, Rescue and Recovery Missions. When asked we also work with other Washington State counties. The team responds to a variety of missions such as Dive Accidents, Vehicle/Vessel Recovery, Missing Persons In or Near the Water and In-Water Evidence Recovery. The SAR team consists of certified divers and surface support tenders.
Search
Underwater searches are designed around specific search patterns. We are trained in circular, jackstay, “U” pattern, and expanding square.
Rescue
Diver rescue, following an accident, is the process of avoiding or limiting further exposure to diving hazards and bringing a diver to a place of safety.
Recovery
Recovery techniques depend upon the type and size of the object. We have experience with recovering stolen items, vehicles, and drowning operations..
SAR Team Donations
USRV-KC is an all volunteer program so we rely heavily on receiving donations which assists us with supplying much needed dive gear and accessories to our SAR team. Thank you so much!
The following are examples of gear, supplies, and services we can accept. A percentage is listed in order of importance to the team. If you are interested in donating money via check or workplace giving please contact our team via the contact section. Thanks!
Boat
Intact working boat preferably with trailer.
Scuba Diving Gear
Properly functioning dive gear for search, rescue and recovery missions.
Search & Rescue Equipment
Marine grade ropes, hooks, markers, lift bags, etc.
Scuba Accessories
Reels, lines, boyues, compasses, dive knives, etc.
Our Search & Rescue (SAR) Team
Interested in joining our team of Search & Rescue Divers or with Shore/Boat Support? Email us
Rick
Corey
Felix
Christina
Steve
Nate
Leslie
Lauren
Mark
Troy
Benjamin
Travis
Tucker
Michael
Megan
Kevin
Eddie
‘Scuba’ Steve
Join Us!
Training Dives
Training dives for the year are announced once a month. For examples of our training view the SAR Training section or visit our facebook page.
Get in touch with us
Please contact Kitsap Department of Emergency Management at 360-307-5881 if you need the help of our services.
Please fill out the form if you have general questions.
Search & Rescue News
Local SAR news and missions we have been involved in
Side Scan Sonar Training
9/15/2018 – Nice productive morning training utilizing the skills of our side scan sonar technician aka “gadget dude”. Thanks to all the team members who could make it. If you’re interested in joining the team please reach out!
Good Samaritans Save Babies From Car Trapped in Texas Flood
A group of good Samaritans saved an infant and a 2-year-old from drowning inside an upside down pickup that was filling with rushing water during severe storms in North Texas Saturday. The rescue was caught on video. Emily Ocheltree, 21, told Telemundo 39’s Carlos Zapata she and her family were on their way to a[…]
Corpus Christi police dive team jumps into training
By Roland Rodriguez They don’t need light or even visibility in the water to see things, which is important when recovering evidence in an underwater crime scene in less than clear water. Every month, members of the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Underwater Recovery Team hone their skills with dive training at the Flour Bluff Natatorium.[…]
This robotic manta ray may speed underwater search and rescue
Manta rays are some of the sea’s most graceful creatures, capable of gliding almost effortlessly and able to swim efficiently even in turbulent water. Now, researchers at the National University of Singapore have created a robot that mimics the manta. Dubbed “MantaDroid,” the cute little bot is about 14 inches long and 25 inches wide[…]
Search For Body of Missing Hoquiam Man Suspended
A memorial now sits along the road in East Hoquiam where a 35-year-old Hoquiam man jumped into the river while fleeing police, and was never seen again. Multiple agencies searched the area last week, and on Thursday the rescue operation became that of recovery. UPDATE: Drowning Victim Recovered Hoquiam police report that on 10-07-16, at[…]
This Is The Easiest Way To Escape A Sinking Vehicle. Knowing HOW Might Save Your Life Some Day
People die each year in the United States because their cars are trapped in water. Statistics show that most of us are doing the exact opposite thing in that very moment to what should be done in such a situation. Here’s why we will show you this demonstration on things that actually should be done[…]
Hoquiam Police Says Search To Resume Saturday
Grays Harobr Scanner has an update on the search for the body of the individual that had jumped into the Hoquiam river while trying to avoid capture by police on Wedensday from Chierf Myers of the Hoquiam Police Department. On the morning of Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 0808 hours, a Hoquiam officer was dispatched[…]
Man jumps into river to avoid police
A 35-year-old Hoquiam man, who was attempting to elude police, plunged into the Hoquiam River, and his whereabouts are still unknown. Thu Sep 15th, 2016 8:30am Hoquiam Police officers were dispatched at 8:08 a.m. Wednesday morning to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Sanderling Drive and East Hoquiam Road. As an[…]
Man’s body recovered following drowning at Lake Sutherland
July 18. 2016 7:04PM PORT ANGELES –– Divers on Sunday afternoon recovered the body of 61-year-old Wales resident Stephen Thomas Turner, who reportedly drowned in Lake Sutherland on Friday. Crews from surrounding counties used sonar equipment provided by the state to locate Turner’s body about 85 feet deep, near the bottom of the lake shortly[…]
Search continues for body of Welsh man in Lake Sutherland
July 16. 2016 6:00PM PORT ANGELES — Dive teams today will continue searching Lake Sutherland for the body of 61-year-old Wales resident Stephen Thomas Turner of the United Kingdom. Until Thomas is found, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is asking recreational users of Lake Sutherland to limit their activities on the lake’s eastern end while[…]