A 62-year-old diver from Sylvania, Ohio, has died during a dive on the wreck of SS Cedarville in northern Lake Huron, Michigan on 29 May.
According to a statement issued by the Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred at approximately 10.15 am local time.
‘Preliminary investigation indicates that a 62-year-old male from Sylvania, Ohio, who was an experienced recreational diver, experienced an emergency while participating in a scheduled dive at the wreck site,’ the statement said.
‘The diver was accompanied by several other experienced divers who immediately initiated lifesaving efforts and assisted emergency responders upon returning to the surface.
‘Despite those efforts, the individual was pronounced deceased.
‘At this time, the investigation remains ongoing. Based on information currently available, investigators do not believe that diving equipment malfunction or charter service operations were factors in the incident.
The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing and that, based on information currently available, investigators do not believe equipment failure played a role in the incident.
‘Based on information currently available, investigators do not believe that diving equipment malfunction or charter service operations were factors in the incident,’ the statement said.
‘The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Todd Ross would like to extend their condolences to the victim’s family and those involved in the incident.
The SS Cedarville lies in the Straits of Mackinac, which connects the American Great Lakes of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
The 179m (588ft) bulk carrier sank on 7 May 1965 after colliding with the Norwegian freighter Topdalsfjord in dense fog in the Straits of Mackinac. Ten crew members died in the sinking.
Today the wreck lies in two halves in around 34m (110ft) of water in the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve, reaching to around 11m (35ft) below the surface.
The ship is accessible to both recreational and technical divers, although classed as an advanced site for experienced divers. At least three divers are known to have died there previously.
The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation. The victim’s name has not been publicly released.
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