Services

Lost Gear Recovery Pricing: Urgent & Emergency Service

Losing valuable gear underwater is always frustrating, but when time is of the essence, you need a rapid response. At PNW Dive Tours, we understand the urgency. Our experienced dive team is available for expedited and emergency lost gear recovery to help you retrieve your critical items quickly and efficiently.

Initial Dive Fee: $75.00

Plus 25% of the total value of the object recovered.

Standard & Advanced Recovery

Our core recovery services are designed to locate and safely retrieve your lost equipment.

• Basic Search & Recovery (Up to 40 ft Depth, 1 Hour Dive Time): Starting at $75.00

  • Includes initial search, recovery attempt, and basic equipment handling.

• Advanced Recovery (41 ft – 80 ft Depth, Complex Conditions, Extended Search): Starting at $150/hour

  • Priced per hour, suitable for deeper losses, larger items, or challenging visibility/currents.

• Specialized/Heavy Item Recovery: Custom Quote

  • For very large, heavy, or delicate items requiring specialized rigging, multiple divers, or extended bottom time. A detailed quote will be provided after an initial assessment.

Urgent & Emergency Response Surcharge

When immediate action is required, an expedited service fee applies to ensure our divers can be deployed as quickly as possible.

• Urgent / Same-Day Response (Within 24 hours): Add $100.00

• Emergency / Immediate Response (Within 4 hours, subject to availability): Add $200.00

Please Note:

• The initial dive fee of $75.00 and the 25% recovery fee are in addition to any other applicable service charges (e.g., hourly rates, urgent/emergency surcharges).

• Pricing is an estimate and may vary based on depth, visibility, current, complexity of the loss, and total dive time required.

• A non-refundable assessment fee may apply for initial site surveys or highly complex recovery plans before the main recovery efforts begin.

• We’ll discuss the estimated costs and recovery plan with you thoroughly before commencing any extensive search or emergency deployment.

• Emergency response is subject to diver availability and safe diving conditions. We’ll confirm estimated arrival and recovery times upon contact.

Don’t let lost gear derail your plans! For urgent assistance, call PNW Dive Tours immediately with the details of your lost gear, and let’s get it back where it belongs.

Tips for Noting Where the Object Was Lost

Accurately marking the location where an object was lost is crucial for a successful recovery. Here are three effective methods:

1. Using a Boat Chartplotter to Set a Waypoint

This is often the most precise method if you have a modern boat with a GPS chartplotter.

• Immediate Action: The instant you realize something is lost, mark your current position on your chartplotter. Most chartplotters have a “Man Overboard” (MOB) function or a quick “Mark Waypoint” button. This will record the precise latitude and longitude of your boat at that exact moment.

• Drift Consideration: Remember that your boat may have drifted slightly since the item went overboard, or the item itself may have drifted with currents. The waypoint marks your boat’s position when you noticed the loss, not necessarily the item’s final resting place.

• Record Details: Immediately write down the coordinates (latitude and longitude) displayed on the chartplotter, along with the date and time. Note the estimated depth at that location from your depth sounder.

2. Known Depth and Time

Even without a chartplotter, knowing the depth and time of loss can be invaluable.

• Record Depth: If your boat has a depth sounder, note the exact depth at the moment the item was lost. This helps divers narrow down the search area vertically.

• Record Time: Note the precise time of the loss. This can be critical for understanding current effects and drift, especially if the object is buoyant or if strong currents are present.

• Approximate Location: While less precise than a waypoint, combine this information with your general knowledge of your location (e.g., “about 100 yards off the red buoy near Point X”).

3. Using Fixed Points of Reference on Land (Triangulation)

This classic method helps pinpoint a location by taking bearings to identifiable landmarks on shore. Aim for at least three fixed points for the best accuracy.

• Identify Landmarks: Choose easily identifiable and stationary objects on land, such as:

  • Lighthouses

  • Distinctive buildings (e.g., a tall church steeple, a prominent water tower)

  • Mountain peaks or unique rock formations

  • A permanent navigation marker (e.g., a fixed daymark or large buoy)

• Take Bearings:

  1. Visually Align: Position your boat so that two of your chosen fixed points on land appear to be in a straight line (or “bisect”) with where you believe the object was lost. Imagine a line extending from one landmark, through your boat’s position, to the other landmark. This creates your first “line of position.”

  2. Repeat for Second Pair: Move your boat to a different position (if possible, or visually align from your current position) and find a second pair of fixed land points that also appear to bisect the loss location. This creates your second “line of position.”

  3. Third for Accuracy (Preferred): Repeat the process with a third pair of fixed points if possible, or use a single prominent landmark and an estimated bearing to it if you have a compass.

• Sketch It: Draw a simple sketch of the shoreline, marking your chosen landmarks. Then draw lines from these landmarks intersecting at the approximate location where you believe the item was lost.

• Describe Clearly: In your report to the dive team, describe the landmarks precisely (e.g., “The red and white lighthouse directly in line with the large white house on the hill,” or “The peak of Mount Rainier aligned with the green buoy”).

By using a combination of these methods, you provide the recovery team with the most accurate information possible, significantly increasing the chances of retrieving your lost gear.