BUFFALO, New York (13 May 2009) — John Freidhoff, 46, died in 2007 while scuba diving in Lake Ontario but his memory lives on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him, and now a new research vessel that bears his name. Yesterday, the United States Coast Guard, family, friends, Buffalo State students and faculty formally christened the new "John J Freidhoff" research vessel. The light alloy hull of the "John J Freidhoff" gleamed in the sunlight as dignitaries spoke fondly of Freidhoff, a renowned educator and conservation activist who worked as lead boat captain and field station manager at the college's Great Lakes Center for Environmental Research and Education. Over the years, Captain John supervised scores of water science projects for the Great Lakes Lab, helped organize and manage events such as the Great Lakes Water Expo, worked with the U.S. Coast Guard on a wide range of projects for Buffalo's waterfront and taught hundreds of kids about watercraft safety, marine conservation and preserving the Great Lakes. After the new vessel was officially christened, Freidhoff's wife and children boarded the "John J Freidhoff" for its maiden voyage. On October 20, 2007, CDNN reported that Freidhoff was found dead in Lake Ontario with his mask off at a depth of about 27.4 meters (90 feet). He had been trying to recover scientific equipment lost during a research expedition by SUNY Brockport's Department of Science and Biology. | 
