My name is Jay Prather, This story is my short version of my photography and the event that stopped my diving career, although it is kind of long, I shortened it so it has at least all the information to tell my basic story. I first got interested in and started photography as a young kid with my Dad, and my best friends Dad was a photographer, so always had good lessons, so I took basic photography classes in middle school. Had a basic 35mm film camera, then bought my own First Camera, then setup a darkroom and as a teenager and began developing my own B&W film, and making my own prints, then after time moved on to color. I had my first Scuba Diving lesson when I was 9 yrs. old with the Boys & Girls Club.
Then once the digital revolution came about, it changed everything. Now I have been doing photography as a serious hobby for most of my adult life, around my crazy paced career that is. Got in a position where I could afford some of the best gear and equipment from my cameras to my full digital editing studio. Once into my late teen's, I got into videography, loved it so much, and since I was already into scuba diving, I started getting into underwater photography and videography with all my diving as much as possible.
After that I was all in as a serious hobbist and was completey hooked. That opened up a whole new world to explore, and yes it came with much learning and many challenges in the beginning, but it was amazing. So I invested in underwater videography gear and with that, I took as many scuba classes as I could and worked my way up to become a technical diver, that's were I met Tom, we have become close friends and starting diving together, over the years we have traveled all over.
We have dove a few dozen ship wrecks, dove very deep technical dives, we got to dive the Andrea Doria shipwreck with an east coast dive group, at a depth of about 250', a very dangerous & technical dive with the depths and current. Went to exotic places from Grand Caymans, to Belize, to Cancun, to Galapagos, to the Red Sea, to Maldives and so much more over the years, and have done countless film and video of many those locations all over, and we have met lots of amazing people along the way, see my gallery of photos. In my diving career logging in over 3200 dives, with my deepest dive at 278 feet. but sadly now I am retired from diving and I have not been diving for several years, now finally I have time to build this website, and tell my story, the short (kind of) version anyway.
So me and my dive partner, Tom , that have logged hundreds of dives together and both of us were considered, very experienced seasoned technical divers with all the proper certifications, early one Saturday morning at daybreak during a tech dive trip up in Canada in the ocean outside the channel of Victoria, BC, just outside of Pachena Point Lighthouse a few years ago, diving the oceans of the pacific northwest oceans is amazing in its own way, home of the Pacific Giant Octopus.
We were 'Lost at Sea' by a chartered dive boat captain, we were on our own diving underwater as planned about 120' to 140' down on average, on the edge of an underwater sea wall that went very deep next to Tully Canyon, covered with sea life, it was a very easy dive for us taking photos and videos of the beautiful sea life , Kelp Forests , Octopus, Wolf Eel , they have up there, the ocean was calm at daybreak and the current at that time was very slow as we went several hundred meters along the sea wall, perfect for filming. While the boat captain then went to shallower waters & helped a group of beginner divers do a dive, but when we were done diving and came up at the rendezvous point on time, the boat was not there, no where in site, and no one in site anywhere. It ended up they went the wrong direction to pick us up, See Map, even though prior to our dive we verified with the captain the Coordinates where we would be coming up and the time as we always do, to verify our position once our dive was done, but the captain got the Coordinates backwards, clearly he was in-experienced.
Finally after a couple hours of looking for us in the wrong direction, and meanwhile we were now being pushed out to sea by the swift current now increasing its force, and the weather was starting to pickup and get worse, the boat captain called it in to the authorities to say they lost us, with this valuable time lost, the Canadian Coast Guard put out the distress call immediately, and so they launched their ships and helicopter immediately and also other civilian's that heard the call started the search & everyone spent almost 10 hrs more hunting for us as they could, many of the smaller boats had to return as the ocean was getting to be nasty conditions.
Meanwhile the current pushed us out to open sea into shipping lanes so we were basically headed for Japan and there was nothing we could do about it, completely helpless and we also lost sight of the coast line or land, put it this way, Japan is 4,700 miles away and simply open ocean. Now in the ocean for nearly 13 hrs. total, 1 hr. for our dive, 2 hours lost by the captain, and 10 hrs. to find us. What we went through during those long hours is an horrific story in itself. Then out of the blue, and what seemed to be an eternity, a Canadian commercial fishing boat just happened to spot us as they were coming back from fishing, they heard the coast guard distress call over the airwaves about us, so they were keeping there eyes open, one of there crew in the tower of there ship, with binoculars spotted us, he told the captain 'this Quote'.
So they changed course to come closer to us and verify us before they called it in to the coast guard. Thank God they saw us, so they kept coming to us and blowing there horn the whole way & stayed there with us, it was a good sized boat with about 10 crew and they threw us a rope for us to connect to so they could help maintain our GPS position and then they called in our position to the Coast Guard, they were told not to try and rescue us, helicopter was close by, but they told us over there PA speaker that they called the Coast Guard and their on the way and be just a few minutes, "Help Is Coming", this alone was what got thru to us, we are saved !! Through the whole time the fishing boat arrived and the chopper got there, the boat crew was talking to us, even though they knew we could not verbally reply, we simply waved back, their being with us gave us a new hope for life, a little revived energy.
So by now the water was extremely rough so they could not get too close without hurting us, so after about 10 minutes, we could hear a helicopter coming & they flew in right over us at what seemed like lighting speed and hovered above us, I now remember the helicopter blades turned up the water and wind into a new storm all in itself, so we just closed our eyes and kept our respirators on so we had air, and after the two rescue divers jumped in the ocean and found their way over to us, each of them grabbed one of us, then the helicopter moved out of the way, but stayed in the area during the rescue, the next thing I remember was the rescue swimmer grabbing me and yelling, 'Quote'.
But then we both knew at that point that we would be saved, I never felt so good to have another human holding onto me, and then they wrapped us each in another inflatable vest to keep us more buoyant as we were almost out of air & were close to sinking, and since the waters were so rough, and the wind so strong and the swells were very large, the helicopter could not get us, but we now knew for sure we were going to be rescued and we would come out of this alive, the timing of all this could not be more perfect, as we both knew we did not have much time left. We were frozen, could not hardly move, and mostly could not speak and just losing control of most of our bodily functions.
With the waters now more freezing and more windy, as nightfall was not that far away, and getting close to end of the day, they had to have the big coast guard cutter ship which was now very close by, get us out of the water because these conditions did not push it around very much. They had the fishing boat replaced with another coast guard boat with the rope keeping us in one spot so the big ship could get closer to rescue us meanwhile the two rescue divers stayed in the water hanging on to us, probably by now frezzing themselves, they kept talking to us, which helped, until the big ship got in position which was pretty fast, and the rescue divers helped with our recovery onto the big ship, as we could not hold anything because we were so weak and frozen, neither of us could feel our hands or feet.
They used a full size body lift basket, strapped us in and the divers went up with us as we were lifted up and onto the ship by a crane, I might not remember alot, but they were clearly very good at there jobs, and deserve every bit of credit owed to them. Now by this time it was getting later in the day, there was the two other Coast Guard boats, the big Coast Guard ship and the helicopter nearby, and the fishing boat who found us, waters were very nasty as was the wind, and with freezing temperatures. But that did not matter to any of these vessels or their crewmen as they were built for weather like this.
Both me and Tom had advanced moderate hypothermia and a couple minor injuries and mostly in poor shape & extremely tired from treading water for most all of the day, not sure how much salt water went into us, but a lot, etc., even with our dry suits on, once we ran out of Argon gas to heat our suits, and switched over to just air, the cold temperature got into us at a faster pace. Next it was a major deal to get us on the cutter in the big swells and wind, but they were good at it, once they did, I remember several of the crew were all over me, it was crazy, taking off all remaining gear except my dry suit and they immediately picked me up and carried me inside to their medical bay for heat and medical attention, there doctor first gave each of us a shot in the arm of something, then I just remember them pumping something into my dry suit to warm me up, meanwhile the ship headed for the dock on the shore. Both of us were just out of it at this point, and frozen, could not feel my hands, feet or face, everything hurt badly, could hardy move or think but I am sure I was happy to be out of the ocean and alive on a ship getting help, I remember had a very hard time hearing and understanding the crew.
Once off the ship, and on the dock, 2 ambulances & police were waiting for us, I seen a large crowd as several crew members carried us down the boat ramp in large body basket, the ambulances had a gurney that was waiting for each of us. Tom said while on the gurney's and headed for the Ambulances, he heard the roar of the crowd as they started cheering for us. I heard later the police were there to keep the people and reporters back from the Paramedics as it was a large crowd that gathered during the day, anyway they then took us to the hospital, the news reporters and lots of other people were also at the dock as I guess the crowd grew over time as the news of two American Technical Divers Filming deep near 'Tully Canyon' were 'lost at sea' in Canadian Waters spread pretty quick, was big news I guess, as well as the announcement towards the end of the day that they found us alive & we have been rescued many miles out to sea, and the Coast Guard is currently bringing us back to the dock. Probably why they put us on their local Evening TV News story and the front cover of the Victoria Sunday Times newspaper the next morning.
So we had a police escort to the hospital and in the ambulance I just remember them also all over me & cutting off my favorite dry suit, and putting an IV with medicines in me, and wrapping me up, not sure what the medicine was, but it just almost knocked me out, I was in and out after that. I don't remember much of that first few of days in the hospital, I was pretty drugged and in bad shape, but I remember along the way, everyone working on me from the start was always talking to me, trying to comfort me, hearing their voices helped even if I did not fully understand them.
I know for the first 10 days, we were in the ICU, our nursing staff was amazing and really took great care of us, Not sure if it was our story with what happened or they just liked us, but I know both of us felt like royalty with the attention they gave us, with round the clock monitoring & care, we were diagnosed and treated for many things as well as advanced Level 3 Moderate Hypothermia, Hypoxemia, Cold Shock, Physical Incapacitation, Saltwater Inhalation, Dehydration, Motion Sickness, and overall Physical Exhaustion.
All the nurses and doctors were just amazing to us. Both me and Toms Other Half immediately came to Victoria, BC once they got things arranged at home, they got there on day 2, they came from the United States together on a charter plane flight once they heard the news of what happened and did not leave our sides for the whole time in the hospital, helped us so much having them there, I now remember the first time I saw her face and heard her voice, I was overwhelmed and so very happy she was now there with me, helped so very much, we still had trouble talking, so they were our voice the best they could as for answers and information.
During the writing of this Bio, Tom told me a story that a nurse told him in which she witnessed, that during the fourth day in the ICU, as I was still mostly just out of it, not sure if I was going to make it the way I felt, especially in the ICU looking around that room and hooked up to about everything equipment there, My doctor in charge, a female doctor, sat on my bed, leaned over close to me looking in my eyes and told me I was going to be just fine, it will just take a while for my body to heal, apparently I just started crying, so she grabbed me and gave me a hug to comfort me, I just don't remember that, wish I can, but I believe Tom words.
One thing I know, there is still a lot my mind is still blocking out, as I remember things now that just pop into my mind, or will come to me in a dream, or nightmare, depending of the memory I guess, in talking with Tom, I remembered how much all the nurses took good care of us, treated us as though they knew us and were giving us the special treatment or something like we were family, made it so much better, if they are this way with all the patients, then more people need to experience their kindness and be more like them, but I remember that now. When we got stable, and out of the ICU and into a normal room together, all the nurses pitched in and got us a real meal to eat from a local restaurant as a surprise dinner one night, and for our other half's as well, we were very thankful for that. I remember once we were home, me & Tom sent a box of chocolates & dozen roses to the ICU and the standard nursing staff at the hospital as a thank you.
Overall we spent about 22 days in the Canadian hospital getting various treatment before being released & coming home to the U.S. to finish with our recovery. Even when I came home, I did not have full use of my hands and feet for a while, and stayed under doctor's care for several month's, and I had to be nursed at first cause my hands had n ot recovered yet, which was hard for me. Before we checked out and left for home, The Coast Guard captain of the big ship, his wife & young daughter & the 2 rescue swimmers, came and visited both of us in the hospital to see how we were doing before we left for home, and it was a very emotional reunion on our part and they told us, 'Captain's Quote'.
It was a nice visit and they stayed awhile, the captain gave us a detailed explanation of the events on their part to find us, and how deeply he was in shock and upset that the chartered boat captain waited two hours to call them, and how the Coast Guard was pursing charges against him, the visit and information was one we appreciated deeply.
The last night we were in the hospital, as we were going home the next morning, that night, mostly every one of our nursing staff from the beginning in the ICU and standard nurses paid us a visit to say goodbye, we were overwelmed with emotions, one thing I take away from my stay in that hospital I cannot say enough, was the pride, truly caring to help others, providing confidence that we would be ok and they would take complete care of us, and they honestly truly cared, a memory I will never lose.
The Captain's 10 yr. old daughter gave us both an official Canadian Coast Guard badge (which I still have), it was a very emotional touching visit. We even got a visit from the fishing boat captain & his wife that first found us. Although we are both very, very happy to be alive, and completely appreciate everything all the people who helped, did for us, like completely and literally saving our lives.
The sad part is that while in the ocean and during the fight in the current and the very large swells heading out to open sea, being tossed around violently nonstop for hours on end, we both had to drop all of our extra tech gear and all our photo & video camera equipment to stay more afloat as we were going thru air for our dry-suits & vest, we even had to help one another to put more air into our suits as tanks were going empty. We had to "MacGyver" our suit's and remaining gear as needed as time went by. Towards the end, with the waters so rough and wind spraying water all over us, sometimes we even had to use our respirators to breathe and get oxygen as it was just simply water everywhere as we were tossed around, of course which was using up more oxygen.
Early on in this ordeal, we had tied ourselves together so we were only several feet apart so we would not lose each other in the waves and current, we knew how important it was for us to stay together, thank God for all our training and experience, which saved us and helped us get through this. Once we knew we were in serious trouble and we knew we very well might not make it is when we could not see land anymore over the rough ocean and realized we were way out into open ocean as far as we could see. I honestly don't think we would still be alive if not for all the training & experience we had in our careers, and both of our ability to stay calm under pressure, but towards the end of this ordeal, even that was put to the ultimate true test, as we knew the end for us was not that far away.
In the last couple hours, it got harder for the both of us to keep our composure and we even started saying our goodbyes & sharing memories, talking about who we are leaving behind and the good lives we have had with stories of our past, the best we could anyway with our condition, seems 'Mother Nature' was putting us through her test, but then we heard the horn of the fishing boat coming to us.
Tom first said 'Quote', and the boat's horn was getting loader and loader as they got closer, so we started to look around when we were at the top of each swell as the waves pushed us up and down, once we saw the actual ship coming, it was at that moment we knew for sure we were getting rescued, because someone has seen us, in our minds, it was truly a miracle they spotted us in such a rough nasty ocean, guess we are meant to be here afterall, our lives were just givin' back to us, rather than our lives being taken away from us. Once the ship got closer or near us, the Captain said over the load PA system to us 'Captain's Message. They threw us a rope with a boey, then two shorter ropes attached to the boey for each of us to tie ourselves too. This one day's event was so powerful it changed us forever.
To this very day, neither Tom nor myself has ever dove again since. Overall we did not fully recover physically for about 3+ months, and there are some minor issues I will have for the rest of my life. And until now, both Tom and I have not spoken hardly at all about that day, even to those closest to us, but during the writing of this Bio, Myself and Tom have spoken together several times now about this in more detail than ever before, maybe we are both ready to finish our healing process of the events of that day many years ago, and both Tom & Patty his wife, have contributed to this Bio, and Tom will be writing his own in which I will add here in his own page when it's done.
I now believe in life we all have friends and family, but rarely do we share an experience like this together that literally opens up your spirit and your soul and eliminates all barriers and you form a bond that will never disappear, maybe it's a spiritual connection. That day enshrined Myself and Tom to be brothers from that day on out for the rest of our lives. I have learned that when someone has the feeling of suffering and is fighting to stay alive yet knowing you are about to die at any moment because of what you are experiencing and there is nothing you can do about it because with all your talents, skills, abilities and knowledge, in our case the ocean and the power of Mother Nature is completely an unforgiving force and will render you totally helpless, this is the most horrific time for any human and does ultimately change you.
But I now believe how you recover and live your life after such an event as this is a testament to who you were before in your life, so never give up as hard as it may get, be strong, have courage, and let others close to you help, you never have to go through the aftermath of traumatic events alone. P.S. if your curious, yes the charter dive boat captain lost his license to charter dive boats and was held accountable for his actions and damages..... But anyway I still love to do all other photography and videography, just on land! I really do miss diving, and will always cherish the memories of it all, and all of the diverse amazing people and friends we met along the way, and all of the spectacular places we have seen, it was truly an amazing ride for all those years, but I just cannot dive anymore after what happened, as I now have fear of diving and the ocean is inside of me, not a good thing at all for a tech diver.
As most of my friends know, and all my dive friends all over that have never heard the story in my own words, this is the first time in all these years I have really wrote about it, let alone even talk about it, even writing and building this bio page brought back those old bad emotions & horrific memories, and had to wipe away many tears and take breaks. Maybe indeed time is allowing me to deal with all those emotions and memories. I do know going thru all my old photos and videos preparing for this site is becoming a wonderful walk down memory lane, and those are very positive feelings and memories.Who knows, maybe as me and Tom talk more, maybe I will get the courage to write the full story of it all.
P.S. Another thing Tom reminded me of that I completely blocked out, also during our recovery at home, Tom's wife setup a dinner for all the crew and captain of the fishing boat that found, she put them at a very nice restaurant up there and it was completely paid for by us, tom had me split it with him, toms wife put together thankyou cards for each of them signed by both of us, and sent the cards to the restaurant which the manager issued to each them during the dinner, and we sent a card to the captains daughter with a $20 gift card. Guess I did not remember this cause Toms wife mostly did all of this. Another thing now that makes me feel good. If it was not for them first finding us, we would not be here to tell our story.
I want to say thank you to all my friends and dive friends all over, I will always have you in my memories, keep diving & have fun, in my case, it was not the ocean that started this, but human error in which almost took us away, so be safe, stay calm, make good choices & don't rush. Thanks for sharing in all the memories and countless unforgettable experiences..........
Visit my Photo Galleries categories on the homepage to see my work and some Personal Photos.
I Just want to post a special note to all the Canadian Coast Guard people, the two Rescue Divers, Paramedics and the Medical Staff and Doctors who help saved us and brought us back to full health, and to the fishing boat captain & crew who first found us, thanks for not giving up the search, and thank you all for saving our lives! And not to forget the Captains Daughter, thank you for the badge! You all are forever in our Hearts and we will never forget the steadfast devotion to the search and the care and compassion you all showed us.......
