AK Dive Rescue brings families and communities rescue, recovery, support

Alaskans and tourists alike love the water. Whether ice skating, playing pond hockey, fishing, or swimming, there is fun, to be sure. And with it comes risks and danger. Residents and tourists can take comfort in knowing if the unthinkable happens, the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team (AK Dive Rescue) will be there to help.

Founded in 2016 by Jeremy Lilly, AK Dive Rescue is an all-volunteer team of military, veterans, and retirees from the military or personnel who worked in Public Safety.

“We also have several people that want to make a difference in someone’s life and help their community,” Lilly said.

Working in conjunction with the Alaska Department of Public Safety to provide capabilities to search, rescue, or recover human remains or evidence from underneath the water’s surface. Lilly’s team is activated by the State Search and Rescue (SAR) and can be deployed within an hour of notification to just about anywhere in Alaska. Most recently, they assisted with a search last July on Big Lake and a mission in Surprise Cove out of Whittier. They are working on the two missions even though the search has officially been placed in a limited search status.

AK Dive Rescue is one of five teams in the United States that have the same capabilities.

“We bring our skills, abilities, and specialized equipment not to take over a mission but to assist the local team in accomplishing the main goal-bringing closure to the families or helping bring a criminal to justice,” Lilly said.

Alaska presents unique challenges when a rescue is needed.

“We operate in extreme environments and temperatures, like searching under the pack ice 13 miles off the coast of Utqiagvik in -65 degree weather and high winds for one week, or flying out to remote villages in small aircraft with minimal equipment,” Lilly said.

The team operates under varying conditions, including conducting searches under the ice, in rivers, inlets, and oceans, often with zero visibility, forcing divers to rely on each other and the teammates above the water.

“You rely on the tender to count your bubbles to figure out how much air you have because the diver cannot see their gauges and is searching only by touch,” Lilly said.

Unlike some community fire departments or state agencies, AK Dive Rescue is a donation-funded volunteer organization in which every member leaves their job, often without pay and family. Even their equipment, maintenance, and repair are paid for with donations.

Besides operating under challenging conditions, AK Dive Rescue also has to work with families in distress, hoping for a positive outcome. When asked what keeps the group motivated, he said, “our motivation is to bring families and communities closure after a tragic event. We know how important it is to have closure to help with the grieving process.”

He adds that their mission is healing for them as well “it helps us deal with our grieving process and provides some healing for those who have PTSD. What better way to continue serving our community and state by bringing closure and loving on those in need.”

In addition to providing search, rescue, and recovery, AK Dive Rescue works to prevent water tragedies through public education about boating and water safety. They also do a mock mission to showcase their skills, equipment, and team in action twice a year.

Lilly’s team is preparing an online auction via their Facebook page to raise funds to replace the side-scan sonar, used as a primary tool to search large bodies of water to locate the subject or item.

AK Dive Rescue is always looking for sponsors and volunteers.

“You don’t need to know how to dive. We can always use people for everything, from tracking information to writing grants to running the sonar,” he said.

To be part of the response team, members need to live within 50 miles of Anchorage and be able to respond and train 2-3 times a month.

For more information, visit akdiverescue.org or their Facebook page, “akdiverescue.”