Haleyville Search and Rescue has started a fundraiser to help finance the purchase of underwater search and recovery equipment.
They want to purchase a Deep Trekker underwater remote vehicle, which uses cameras and sonar to search areas that divers may not be able to access. The underwater drone has a cable that connects the vehicle to a control panel, allowing an operator to control it from a boat or even from the bank if necessary. Such a vehicle is a significant investment, with an average price tag of $10,000.
Being able to search with the DeepTrekker allows not only a faster search, but also a thorough investigation in muddy or dark waters, or in cold temperatures that would limit a diver’s time in the water.
Search and Rescue is often called out to assist with water searches on Upper Bear, Smith Lake, and other waterways in the area. HSR says that Bear Creek Lake is 55 feet deep in some areas and covers 670 acres. Lewis Smith Lake is the deepest and largest at 264 feet and 21,000 acres. A similar underwater vehicle was used as far back as 2019 to locate a drowning victim in Smith Lake, where deep and cold water restricted the use of divers.
HSR has started a GoFundMe page, and will also accept check donations by mail, addressed to Haleyville Search and Rescue, 1811 28th Street, Haleyville 35565.
Haleyville Search and Rescue, Inc. is a volunteer-operated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.