Names of Two Deceased Abalone Divers Released, More Details Provided

Helicopter landing on Casper Beach during the recovery of three deceased abalone divers. [Photo by Antone Schlafer courtesy of Mendocinosportsplus.]

On 04-12-2015 at approximately 3:09 P.M., Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to assist California State Parks Rangers in Caspar, California for multiple drowning victims.

Sheriff’s Deputies arrived and learned that a group of five adult males from out of the area were abalone diving in the southern portion of Caspar Anchorage Bay.

After entering the water, three of the men became trapped in the surf of a narrow channel between two rock outcroppings where the divers had entered the ocean water.

Witnesses to the incident described the surf as being rough and dangerous for diving conditions with an estimated seven to eight foot swells.

A nearby fisherman observed the men in distress and called 9-1-1.

A joint water rescue operation ensued and was comprised of personnel from the Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department, California State Parks, United States Coast Guard and Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.

During the rescue, two men were recovered from the water by boat and helicopter then brought to the shore of Caspar Beach.  Live-saving measures were initiated, but unsuccessful, and both were pronounced dead at the scene.  The third diver could not be located and a search continued throughout the day.

At approximately 7:00 P.M., the missing diver was located deceased in a small cove in the same general area.  Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department launched a technical rope rescue and recovered the deceased man.

A coroner’s investigation into the three deaths is ongoing.  All three deceased divers have been identified by Sheriff’s Deputies but the next of kin for one of the divers is still pending.

The identities of the divers that can be released at this time are Tae Won Oh (49-year-old male from Dublin, California) and Hyun Kook Shin (49-year-old male from Suwanee, Georgia).

The other two surviving divers in the group were uninjured and treated and released at the scene.

Earlier Chapters: Tragic End to Abalone Dive, Three Dead