WV DNR showcase new dive team to aid in underwater searches

HINTON, WV (WVNS) – Wednesday, July 3, 2024 is a big day for West Virginia, as the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources deployed a new dive team.

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The DNR’s duty is to cover land and water, but now they are finally able to go underwater to better serve West Virginia.

The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources officially deployed a dive team to help with searches that need conducted underwater.

The unveiling of this new dive team was held at Bluestone Lake on Wednesday at 11 A.M.

West Virginia Governor, Jim Justice told 59News that this program has been a long time coming. “We’ve finally ended up with enough money to be able to fund a dive team, and the dive team is the statewide dive team,” said Justice. “[They have] ten members right now and unbelievable equipment. They’re another tool in the toolbox that just makes us better.”

This dive team began training back in October 2023 and is now officially ready to be deployed across the state.

This new program is helped greatly by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, as well as the experience of former South Carolina DNR officer and current dive team coordinator, J.B. Smith.

In Governor Justice’s speech, he emphasized the importance of this new dive team around big lake holidays, like Independence Day.

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Smith said, “we meet monthly throughout the state on different bodies of water, so these guys get a taste of everything. I need every diver to not show up at a scene and look at something that he hasn’t seen before. So, every time I get a chance to put them in fresh water they haven’t been in before is a good thing. The more experience, the better.”

DNR Captain Michael Lott added, “Moving forward, we’re going to continue to train. We’re going to put it out to all 55 counties of the state that we’re available, that we’re going to have man and resources available to assist any county with any kind of need in the water as far as person search, article search, any other outside agencies, law enforcement, fire departments, EMS. We’re here to help them. We’re here to serve the people.”

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