Diver Rescued After Air Hose Gets Disconnected

A sea urchin fisherman who got into trouble Saturday when his air hose disconnected during a dive near Santa Cruz Island, was rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter crew after spending almost two hours drifting in the Santa Barbara Channel.

Karl William Nienaber, 44, of Ojai anchored his 27-foot boat Rocksane about two miles southeast of the island and was diving for sea urchins in water 300 feet deep, said Coast Guard Petty Officer John Howk. While underwater, Nienaber’s air hose became disconnected.

The dive vessel Cori M, based at Channel Island Harbor, came upon Nienaber’s boat and saw an air hose over the side. Also, the air compressor, which is used to pump air to the diver below, was not working, according to Howk. They put their own diver in the water and radioed the Coast Guard.

Despite their efforts, the crew from the Cori M could not find the missing diver, who had been swept east by the fast-moving current. “He swam two miles against the current,” Howk said.

A Coast Guard helicopter was diverted from a separate call to search for the diver, and he was located at about 2 p.m. one-quarter mile off Santa Cruz Island. A Coast Guard diver with a rescue harness was lowered into the water, and Nienaber was hoisted into the helicopter.

Nienaber was in good physical condition and required no medical attention, Howk said. He was eventually lowered onto the Rocksane to retrieve his gear, Howk said.