Petaluma spear-fisherman dies Sunday near Jenner

On Sunday at approximately 9:30 a.m., the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Helicopter, “Henry-1,” responded along with California State Park lifeguards and Timber Cove Fire personnel to Stillwater Cove, which is located north of Jenner on the Pacific Coast. A Sonoma County Regional Parks ranger received a report of a “diver in distress,” so he radioed for assistance.
Rescue crews arrived and spotted the victim, 50-year-old Victor Smith of Petaluma, floating in turbulent water near some rocks. They then lost sight of the victim just before Henry-1 arrived. The ocean was rough and visibility was poor due to the amount of white, aerated water.
Lifeguards entered the water but were limited to searching only certain areas due to the treacherous conditions.
The crew of Henry-1 was able to spot a lime-green fin that the diver was wearing. The helicopter landed and set up for a long-line rescue. Paramedic Sean Cotton rigged the helicopter for the rescue then stood by with life-support equipment waiting for the diver.
Sgt. Eric Thomson donned a wetsuit and attached himself to the end of the 100-foot-long rescue line suspended from the helicopter. Pilot Paul Bradley lowered Thomson onto an offshore rock in the surf near the victim.
With Lifeguard Osh Mcnulty assisting Thomson in the water, rescue efforts were hampered by large waves crashing over them. The diver had become wedged under water in a crack of the offshore rock. He was eventually freed from the rock and secured in a “horse collar” rescue device. Both Thomson and the victim were raised.
Unfortunately, the diver did not survive. After interviewing his companions, it appears that he was using scuba gear and a spear gun to fish in the rough water. He surfaced and yelled for help. One of his friends entered the water and attempted to help but was knocked away by large surf.

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