At 3:55 p.m. on Aug. 17, 2006, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy pushed into an open water lead in the ice approximately 490 miles north of Barrow, Alaska. While not in the plan for the day, completion of an ambitious science schedule and excellent weather conditions provided an opportunity for “ice liberty” – an opportunity for the crew to disembark the vessel, stretch their legs and take a break from regularly scheduled operations.
The diving officer also sought out this opportunity to conduct a familiarization training dive with Healy’s newest divers. A dive plan was reviewed by the operations officer and executive officer and approved by the commanding officer. The plan called for all three divers to dive simultaneously using dry suits and SCUBA gear. Two consecutive dives, not exceeding 20-feet in depth, would be conducted lasting 20 minutes each.
At 4:30 p.m., “ice liberty” was granted to the crew; and was being conducted at the same time, and in the same general location, as the dive operation. Ice liberty included “polar bear plunges,” football, and consumption of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
At approximately 5 p.m., Petty Officer Steven Duque arrived at the dive side. Approximately 40 minutes later, the remaining two divers arrived. The dive officer briefed the divers and the diver tenders.
At approximately 6:10 p.m., the divers entered the water. Shortly after entering the water, Diver 3 had difficulty with the dry suit leaking, exited the water, and returned to the ship.
Lt. Hill and Petty Officer Duque continued the planned dive.
Petty Officer Duque experienced problems with his glove, briefly exited the water and warmed his hands. Petty Officer Duque returned to the water and Lt. Hill conducted in-water safety checks and they submerged.
After the divers were submerged for a few minutes, one of the tenders noted that the line sped out in a fast and forceful manner. Believing that about 100 feet of line had paid out, the tender asked for assistance in an attempt to stop the tending line from running further.
After changing out of the dive gear and into clothes, Diver 3 returned to the dive side and noted the diver tenders’ concerns. Attempts to communicate with the submerged divers failed and the tenders began retrieving both divers. The initial retrieval rate was approximately one foot per second. At approximately 40 feet of depth, the divers became visible and neither appeared to be conscious, both divers were brought rapidly to the surface, pulled from the water, and received emergency medical assistance that was unsuccessful.
| Name | Rating | Duty Station | Date |
| Duque, S. | BM2 | USCGC Healy | 8/17/2006 |
Source: USCG FOIA Reading Room