The Dive Team
Marina del Rey Station has a Dive/Rescue Team which has been in existence since 1965. Since he L.A. County Harbor patrol was merged with the Sheriff’s Department in 1984, the dive team’s experience has increased. Today, the dive team is comprised of over 15 certified divers, most of whom are qualified as Emergency Medical Technicians and patrol boat operators. Together they have a combined total of over 200 years of diving experience.
At any time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, there are dive team members on duty and capable of responding to any dive emergency. Additionally, all members can respond as needed on a call out basis.
Under the auspices of Emergency Services Detail, the mission of the Marina del Rey Sheriff’s Dive Team corresponds with the current jurisdiction of the Marina del Rey Station. Its primary area of responsibility is the harbor of Marina del Rey with a secondary coverage responsibility of the Santa Monica Bay. It is also possible for the team members to respond county wide depending on the needs of the Department.
The Sheriff’s Department Reserve Dive Team
Designated “Marine Company 218,” this unit assists the Sheriff’s Department Emergency Services Detail (ESD) in its aquatic missions and consists of both scuba divers and boat operators, civilian and sworn.
Most divers are instructors, some of whom have more advanced certifications and others prior military experience. All have extensive dive resumes. We support ESD, respond to LASD dive operations not resolved by first responders, and assist marine operations wherever needed.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department covers an extensive coastline, including Catalina Island along with numerous lakes, dams,
rivers, aqueducts, and reservoirs. The unit has seen operations under ice, at extreme depth, in zero visibility, raging currents, bio-hazardous conditions, and overhead environments.
At the unit’s disposal is a 28′ twin-outboard boat and dive truck that contains spare gear, rope, lift bags, first aid, weights, anchors, and just about everything needed to conduct a search and recovery operation.
Reserve divers have logged thousands of dives and have been involved with a variety of underwater operations, including missing persons searches, missing scuba divers, body recoveries, homicide-related weapons searches, stolen vehicle recoveries, and crashed aircraft.
The team does not do recreational diving, where the calmest conditions and clearest water best serve the day. Many operations are in poor visibility and deep waters. Due to these circumstances the team trains regularly, observes safety protocols, and seeks divers who feel both challenged and comfortable in situations normally avoided.
But isn’t that what law enforcement is all about? If you have a work schedule flexible enough to allow infrequent activities at any time, AND are an experienced, fit diver with a complete set of gear and an zeal for something different, OR an experienced boat operator with expertise in launching, trailering, and driving a boat and are familiar with dive operations, please email Dive Team Captain David Gjertson,
gjertson@ucla.edu.
Meetings are held the second Monday of each month and train the following weekend.
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