LOS BANOS, California (9 Feb 2007) -- A state agency suspended its underwater inspections of an aqueduct that supplies water to millions of people following the mysterious deaths of two divers. Department of Water Resources spokeswoman Sue Sims said Friday that the 11 remaining members of the dive team would not perform any inspections, maintenance or repair work while investigators try to determine how two men died at a state pumping plant. "At this time, our employees are not diving pending the results of the investigation," Sims said. Divers Tim Crawford, 50, and Martin Alvarado, 44, died Wednesday after descending 30 feet to inspect screens that filter out garbage and debris on the floor of the California Aqueduct at the Dos Amigos Pumping Plant near the small town of Los Banos. As is standard practice at the department, the pair were wearing recreational scuba gear -- equipment that industry and diving experts have described as woefully insufficient to protect from the strong currents and obstacles at the bottom of the aqueduct. In the private sector, commercial contract divers abide by stricter industry standards. Those require sturdy helmets, ropes and oxygen lines, as well as a monitoring station. Sims defended the equipment used by the state as appropriate for the divers' short missions and the shallow waters in which they dive. "From their perspective, if they felt they needed different equipment, they would ask for it and they would get it," said Sims, who said she spoke with several of the divers Friday. "What they are using is not inappropriate for the type of work they do." The divers were in grief counseling Friday and not available for interviews, she said. Sims said the department would employ contractors if work needs to be done at one of its 22 dams or along the state's 444-mile aqueduct, a system that supplies water to more than 23 million Californians and five million acres of farmland. | | Authorities are trying to find out why two divers died amidst allegations that the equipment they were using was inadequate for conditions often encountered in California's aqueduct system. Little was known Friday about why Crawford and Alvarado didn't resurface after what was supposed to be a routine 20-minute task. Department officials say both men were experienced divers who had kept up to date on their skills and certifications. Crawford of Seaside had been with the Department of Water Resources for nearly 20 years, and Alvarado of Coalinga had been with the department for six years. Investigators found air in their tanks and none of their equipment was damaged on the outside. Those early signs suggest possible equipment failure, contaminated water or air, industry experts said. The Merced County coroner on Thursday completed autopsies, but did not determine what caused their deaths. It could be several weeks before there are results from toxicology screenings, said California Highway Patrol spokesman Tom Melden. CHP investigators spent Friday morning at the plant examining the scene and interviewing state personnel, Melden said. The pumping station is about 85 miles southeast of San Jose along Interstate 5 in the San Joaquin Valley. SCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba ForumCDNN Related NewsCALIFORNIA - State divers killed during routine pump inspection |
