Scramble to Save Divers Led to Diplomatic Snafu

A misinterpreted radio report apparently was the cause of an erroneous Coast Guard statement claiming that two divers had died off Baja California on the Fourth of July.

The Coast Guard, with help from the two 22-year-old divers, Daniel Lavin and George Spalding of San Diego, cleared up the confusion which had arisen between Coast Guard officials and Mexican authorities in the Saturday incident after one of the divers called authorities Monday to report that they were “alive and well.”

Petty Officer Charles Embleton, a Coast Guard spokesman in Long Beach, offered this explanation:

Responding to a call to assist two stranded divers Saturday, the Coast Guard contacted the port captain in Ensenada, about 20 miles north of the Punta China, site of the emergency.

Overheard Radio Exchange

“He (the captain) told us that he had overheard a radio conversation between a private citizen and a Mexican fishing boat, stating that the latter had picked up two bodies,” Embleton said. He said it was unclear whether the bodies were reported as dead or alive.

Embleton speculated that this was the report mistakenly attributed to the Mexican authorities, who have denied issuing such a report.

“We (Lavin and Spalding) got caught in some strong undercurrents that pulled us away from the shore,” Lavin said. “But our friend was able to get back to shore.”

The diver who escaped the strong currents, upon reaching land, asked a stranger to notify the Coast Guard. He then rented an inflatable boat and launched a rescue attempt of his own, Lavin explained.

“Our friend was able to find us, and then we ran into a Mexican fishing boat,” Lavin said. “They picked us up and brought us ashore. We were all fine. None of us were hurt.” And that was the end to a simple, adventurous tale. Or at least that’s what Lavin thought.

“When I came into work this morning I saw the newspapers saying that I was dead. So I called the Coast Guard,” he said.

Divers Spotted by Jet

Embleton said, “We received word on Saturday about two stranded divers. A Falcon jet from the San Diego base was in the area, and we asked him to sweep by. The jet spotted the divers, but because it was running low on fuel, had to come back to base. So while we requested entry into Mexican airspace, the (San Diego) base dispatched a helicopter to the scene.”

According to Embleton, just as the helicopter arrived in the area of the missing divers, the Coast Guard was notified by Mexican authorities that they could not enter their airspace.

“I have no idea why our request to enter their airspace was denied,” Embleton said. “It’s the first time I’ve heard them deny us entry. So we called back our copter. Basically, they (the Mexican authorities) told us not to worry and said they would send out two navy patrol boats of their own,” Embleton said.

Lavin said he spotted all of the search teams that were looking for him--the Coast Guard jet and helicopter, and the Mexican navy boats--from the safety of shore.

“By the time they got out there, we had already been rescued by the Mexican fishing boat,” said Lavin, who claimed he and Spalding were floating in the 60 degree water about 5 1/2 hours. Lavin added that he was grateful for the search efforts.

“Not only do we appreciate the effort by the Coast Guard, but just knowing that the system works efficiently makes those of us who like going out into the water feel a lot better.”