Emergency Dive Response Team

04/24/2025

2nd Mission of 2025 - EDRT Ogeechee River – UPDATE

4/24 UPDATE: Jose's body was recovered 7 miles downstream from the original search site when it emerged from the water. There can now be closure for the family.

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The EDRT has been engaged in its second drowning search effort of 2025.

The team was part of the successful recovery of Gary Jones on Lake Oconee after a 29-day search effort. Now the team is participating in another effort outside of Savannah, GA, joining state and local agencies yesterday (Day 10) at the request of the Bryan County Sheriff, Mark Crowe, and the Georgia DNR..

The current victim is a 55-year-old construction worker, Jose Garcia Hernandez, who fell from the I-95 bridge on the Ogeechee River on April 7th. He was working with a crew painting the underside of the bridge when he fell into the water. At the time of the occurrence, he was said to be wearing overalls, a construction belt, and a safety harness.

The search team is currently comprised of the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office (LEAD AGENCY), Georgia State Patrol, Emergency Dive Response Team, Chatham County Marine Patrol, Dive911, GA Department of Natural Resources, and TrailDogs—a K-9 cadaver team run by Alex Collier. Over the next couple of days, four additional dogs from other agencies joined the team.

The GSP has been running helicopter searches of the area, which ranges from the I-95 bridge where the accident occurred to the Hwy 17 bridge. An underwater drone and sonar are also being utilized.

The search and recovery team is facing major challenges with the murkiness of the blackwater, the up to 30 ft depth at high tide, and material debris from bridge construction and fencing throughout the area, which is throwing off the sonar. Another factor is that the Ogeechee is home to alligators, five types of venomous snakes, and a plethora of other animals, birds, and fish.

Sector scans were run and did not find anything underneath or past the bridges.

The mission continued throughout the weekend to bring closure to the family through a successful recovery of the body. However, after 15 days, the search was called off.

The EDRT is called to missions throughout Georgia and relies on contributions to cover the cost of operations, including transportation, gas, and food. The EDRT, a 501c3 charitable organization, made up of volunteers operating entirely on donations, is dedicating a large amount of funds and resources to continue the efforts and support our partners. Costs for running an operation are in the thousands and the non-profit team is not reimbursed for the costs of a recovery operation.

We request your support and a tax-deductible donation to support our ongoing operations and critical work. Please visit www.edrt.org and donate today at https://ngcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6843.

As we continue our efforts, we will be sure to keep you posted with updates.

03/10/2025

03/10/2025

Update on the current recovery mission of Gary Jones on Lake Oconee. Rescue teams recovered the body about 45 feet below the surface entangled in Timber and trees. This was a massive effort encompassing a month of searching and logistics, and included agencies across the state, the southeast, and the US. The recent addition of Bruce's Legacy out of Wisconsin and the specialized sonar equipment was instrumental.

We want to thank all the organizations who assisted in the search and brought closure to the Jones Family.

More details to follow.

The EDRT is a 501c3 charitable organization, made up of volunteers operating entirely on donations, and we are dedicating a large amount of time, dollars, and resources to continue the efforts and support our partners. Costs for running an operation are in the tens of thousands and the non-profit team pays out of pocket and through donations for the costs of a recovery operation.

We request your support and a tax-deductible donation to support our ongoing operations and critical work. Please visit www.edrt.org and donate today at https://ngcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6843

Proceeds are being shared with the other volunteer charities as funds become available. We THANK YOU for your continued support.

03/08/2025

EDRT Lake Oconee – Search Day 22/27 (Sunday March 2/Friday March 7) - UPDATE

A lot has happened throughout the week as the search for Gary Jones continues into a month-long mission.
The news has presented factual data, however hard it is to fathom that the recovery efforts have not brought closure to the mission or the family, students, and community.

After 22 days, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills made the difficult decision to scale back daily search operations. Shoreline searches will continue in the morning, afternoon, and at dusk. While the search for Jones has been scaled back, authorities remain committed to bringing closure. The Georgia DNR has pledged to continue using patrol boats and being on site throughout the mission. Volunteer groups (Southwest Panhandle Search And Rescue Canine Team, Georgia Community Emergency Response Team Canine Unit, Jeff Mogan, and Michel Galliot) with K-9 search/cadaver dogs have continued to report in the same area as of last weekend. Volunteer dive teams led by Buchanan (Dive 911) will continue their efforts ensuring that all efforts to locate Gary Jones are exhausted.

The search continues to be extremely physical, mental, and emotional for everyone involved. Challenges from the weather, winds, rain, cold, the terrain, and the costs of running the mission are having a major impact. Throughout it all, the EDRT remains committed to bringing peace to the family, friends, and community of Gary Jones and his fiancée Joy. Life is fragile, and the community is strong. His impact continues to be powerful. We will continue the search.

This week's recovery mission focused on the narrowed-down area of the Lake that the K-9 crews and search teams have identified as the most likely resting place. Volunteers from all over the southeast have helped with K-9 dogs, boats, divers, equipment, and sonar. The team includes the Putnam County Sheriff's Office led by Sheriff Sills, search teams from the Georgia DNR, Georgia State Patrol, Buck Buchanan (Dive911 in Crystal River, FL); Ryan Sauter (a former diver with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office), resources from Cherokee and DeKalb County dive rescue teams, divers from Blue Cord Diving Services (Vic Hudson), Captain Walker (United Cajun Navy) and so many more volunteer groups and individuals are still assisting with the search.

Additional critical volunteers from Bruce’s Legacy (Keith Cormican) https://www.bruceslegacy.com/
a non-profit organization dedicated to the recovery of individuals in difficult drowning situations, arrived today out of Black River Falls, Wisconsin, and is bringing a brand-new towed array sonar that “looks” under the water which turns pulses into images. This allows for the team to cover wide stretches and systematic mapping of the area. It also allows for more efficient use of resources and promotes diver safety. The Sheriff provides boats to keep traffic away from the operational area while they are doing the sonar searches.

The teams and volunteers have been at this for a month and the costs are increasing rapidly. The EDRT is a 501c3 charitable organization, made up of volunteers operating entirely on donations, and we are dedicating a large amount of time, dollars, and resources to continue the efforts and support our partners. Costs for running an operation are in the tens of thousands and the non-profit team pays out of pocket and through donations for the costs of a recovery operation.

We request your support and a tax-deductible donation to support our ongoing operations and critical work. Please visit www.edrt.org and donate today at https://ngcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6843

Proceeds are being shared with the other volunteer charities as funds become available. We THANK YOU for your continued support.

03/03/2025

EDRT Lake Oconee – Search Day 20/21 (Friday Feb 28/Saturday March 1) - UPDATE

We wrapped up Day 20 and 21 as we continued the search for Gary Jones.

Most of the day Friday was dedicated to working with partner dive teams scouting the area and identifying the dive areas. There is a fear that the below water tree line, hooks, lures, and fishing line will make the dives potentially more dangerous. The previous weeks sonar, search, and ROV activities have taken their toll on our equipment, personnel, and bodies. We have damaged or lost multiple pieces of equipment during the activities. The search efforts continue to be very detailed, showing the dedication of the Emergency Dive Response Team, DNR, PCSO, K9 Teams, GA Drone, local fisherman and volunteer search teams. Sonar technology has been used repeatedly to scan the lake floor. Every possible lead has been followed. The authorities are determined to find Gary, to bring closure to his family and the community. Friday’s weather slowed things down, however since it was a primarily a prep day for Saturday dives, we still accomplished a lot.

Since the beginning of the search mission, targets have been identified, and many have been ruled out or cleared; the most promising target areas will be searched with human divers to definitively clear.

Saturday started off early, and we were able to get 9 good dives in, clearing some of the search area, with no positive results. The winds picked up during the day, reaching 15-20 miles per hour, and with gusts of 25+ mph creating 1-2’ whitecaps. Our boats could not remain stationary, and this prevented additional dives from occurring the rest of the day.

We were joined by additional experienced divers - Buck Buchanan (Dive911 in Crystal River, FL); Ryan Sauter (a former diver with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office), and resources from Cherokee and DeKalb County rescue. As always, Captain Walker from the United Cajun Navy was with us.

Diving and K9 Teams will resume on Sunday and will continue as long as the weather permits.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s office (Lead Agency), DNR and Georgia State Patrol boats along with numerous trained K-9 Units, local fisherman and volunteers continue to be instrumental in supporting the overall Search operation.

As efforts increase, the cost of operations including transportation, gas, and food continue to rise. The EDRT, a 501c3 charitable organization, made up of volunteers operating entirely on donations is dedicating a large amount of funds and resources to continue the efforts and support our partners. Costs for running an operation are in the thousands and the non-profit team is not reimbursed for the costs of a recovery operation.

We request your support and a tax-deductible donation to support our ongoing operations and critical work. Please visit www.edrt.org and donate today at https://ngcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6843.

If you are interested in helping in anyway – provide a meal, offer supplies, make a donation, or anything to assist the search efforts – please reach out.

03/01/2025

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/its-gonna-be-zero-visibility-divers-search-lake-oconee-missing-teacher/SHP6P7C2B5CQZDSNAENIHRPIJE/

Divers hope to rule out some parts of the lake and make the search area smaller.

02/27/2025

EDRT Day 17 UPDATE (Tuesday February 25)

The search for Gary Jones continues. Seventeen days into the mission, our team remains dedicated to his recovery and to providing closure for his family.

We ask for your continued prayers for Gary's return and for the safety and well-being of all those involved in the search.
May God bless you. And cherish the days we have on this earth.

11 Alive
https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/day-17-search-lake-oconee-missing-boater-gary-jones-update/85-414dd562-ad8a-4c07-87ce-1498bbb2ac67?fbclid=IwY2xjawIrW01leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcIq0dabyxNSddVOu745VkdjitA2k0sollCIBRnELJ7jmx92vGDVJG4uPQ_aem_LE8uHEKh2e64X23lUlLfFg

WSB 2
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/sheriff-says-despite-speculation-he-believes-missing-teacher-is-still-lake-oconee/IGSOFLNGD5ATHNWZ66LXJIWZ4U/

The sheriff says he's heard the rumors that Gary Jones is alive and well somewhere else, but he doesn't believe them.

02/27/2025

EDRT Lake Oconee – Search Day 14/15 (Saturday Feb 22/Sunday Feb 23) - UPDATE
We wrapped up another long weekend (Day 14/15) on the water yesterday, as we continued the search for Gary Jones.
We were fortunate to have the Southwest Panhandle Search And Rescue Canine Team and four of their trained dogs. The Georgia K9 Search and Recovery Team (Jeff Mogan and Michel) and the Georgia Community Emergency Response Team Canine Units were also out again for the fourth time and ran two of their dogs. The dogs searched along the shoreline and a two mile by 1-mile extensive search area; and based on alerts, they were able to help narrow the search to a very specific area. All six dogs have now alerted in the same area. Unfortunately, our Sonar searches have been unable to detect the victim.
Georgia Power shut down their operations for the day so that we could search the area around the dam and inside the buoy line. We did not have any alerts in that area, so we feel confident that he is nowhere near the dam.
In partnership with the Putnam County Fire Department, we ran the Aquaeye, an advanced Sonar underwater scanner that uses the latest sonar technology as well as artificial intelligence to identify human bodies underwater and in waters with poor visibility.
Over the weekend we were joined by Jeff Mogan and Michel Galliot and their dogs who will continue to search the area and hopefully fine-tune the search area enough for us to be able to recover the body successfully.
Also, the Putnam County Sheriff’s office (Lead Agency), DNR and Georgia State Patrol boats who have been instrumental in supporting the overall Search operation.
The Westminster community has been wonderful and supporting us during this entire search effort. They provided breakfast and lunch for the team each day, several of the teachers arrived and brought handwritten heartfelt and emotional cards and thank you notes from the students for all the volunteers, expressing their thanks and appreciation for our hard work and dedication.
Many thanks to everyone who has been involved so far on this mission.
Please say an extra prayer for a quick recovery.
We will continue to work on the case as long as necessary and will be back on the water in the morning.
As efforts increase, the cost of operations including transportation, gas, and food continue to rise. The EDRT, a 501c3 charitable organization, made up of volunteers operating entirely on donations is dedicating a large amount of funds and resources to continue the efforts and support our partners. Costs for running an operation are in the thousands and the non-profit team is not reimbursed for the costs of a recovery operation.
We request your support and a tax-deductible donation to support our ongoing operations and critical work. Please visit www.edrt.org and donate today at https://ngcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6843.

02/26/2025

https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/day-17-search-lake-oconee-missing-boater-gary-jones-update/85-414dd562-ad8a-4c07-87ce-1498bbb2ac67

Gary Jones, a coach at Westminster Schools in Atlanta, disappeared on the lake 17 days ago. Crews are still searching for him.

02/24/2025

Updated coverage on the search for Gary Jones.

https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/gary-jones-missing-boater-lake-oconee-search-continues-sunday-feb-23/85-345a411a-2794-40fa-8439-f600de85260c?ref=exit-recirc