March 7, 2024
When Port of Seattle Police Department (POSPD) Sergeant Andrew Neisinger isn’t patrolling Port of Seattle maritime and airport properties, you might find him monitoring a world normally out of sight to the average person – under the Salish Sea.
In the depths of Elliott Bay, Neisinger and the other members of the POSPD Dive Team check for potential hazards or suspicious objects that could impact cruise ships or other vessels and gather evidence in the event of crimes on the water. An added job perk — it’s also a chance to observe sea life in its natural habitat and uncover relics from the past, previously lost overboard on passing ships. They’ve found Coke bottles dating back to the 1960s, teacups and saucers from a 1942-era china set, and a field of champagne bottles buried under 60 feet of water. Divers have also observed discarded military items dating back to the 1940s through 1970s when the U.S. Navy operated Pier 91.
Diving is a passion for Neisinger, and his role as POSPD’s Marine Patrol and Dive Team Supervisor is integral to keeping the Seattle waterfront secure for cruise passengers, vessels, and the community.
Promoting safe waters
The POSPD Marine Patrol and Dive teams monitor the waters of Elliott Bay from lighthouse to lighthouse (Alki Point Light House to West Point Lighthouse in Discovery Park); officers are first in line to assist ferries and other vessels in the area and respond to incidents on the water. They spend April to October during Alaska cruise season supporting cruise ship operations by patrolling the water to help keep cruise passengers, employees, and the community safe.
The Marine Patrol and Dive teams each consist of eight members when fully staffed. Divers are trained in basic and advanced open-water response and rescue diver certification. They also complete a three-week Working Diver course conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Here’s how the Marine Patrol and Dive teams assist POSPD and other federal and regional law enforcement agencies on and beneath the water:
- Underwater search and body recovery of crimes that occur in the water
- Pier sweeps to uncover dangerous devices, navigational hazards, or suspicious items
- Hull sweeps of ships to protect dignitaries and critical infrastructure designated by the U.S. Coast Guard
- Special events staffing such as 4th of July, Seafair, and other Port-sponsored maritime events
- Support for other regional dive teams on large-scale critical infrastructure inspections and searches in the Puget Sound and surrounding bodies of water
- Assistance to patrol units from Seattle Police Department
- Response to rescues reported to the U.S. Coast Guard, vessels adrift, and navigational hazards in the ferry lanes
The Dive Team also supports the Port’s Environment and Sustainability Department work with underwater filming of seabed erosion on the pilings around Pier 66.
The Marine Patrol Unit operates Harbor 2, a 35-foot vessel as it patrols the waters of Elliott Bay, including Shilshole Bay Marina, Fishermen's Terminal, and the Duwamish waterways. The vessel responds at the request of the U.S. Coast Guard to emergency situations in Puget Sound from Des Moines on the south to Ballard on the north and Seattle west to Bainbridge Island.
The vessel is equipped with several specialized pieces of hardware including:
- night vision equipment
- boat-mounted thermal imagers
- and a remote-operated vehicle (ROV)
The ROV can be used to view hulls and piers remotely, as it can reach depths nearly 1,000 feet below the surface.
Taking the plunge
Neisinger started scuba diving after he graduated from college in 2008. “I played baseball in college, and I always like a challenge, something to get ready for. I need that to keep myself active.”
Seven and a half years ago he began working for the Port police and jumped at the chance to combine personal and professional interests on the Dive Team. When diving Neisinger wears a dry suit, an undergarment made of thick fleece, and wool socks to stay warm and dry. Divers are usually underwater for around 35 minutes. “I love being on the water and under the water,” he said. “Not a lot of places have a dive and a boat team. I love what we do, and it’s a great place to work.”
Normally the team performs two dives a month for pier sweeps and training to maintain their skills. Divers wear full face masks and communications gear to stay in touch with the rest of the divers and their support team above water on the boat. They dive in pairs. The Marine Patrol team members act as dive tenders and assist the divers. “We have a lot of fun and we maintain a safe working environment. It’s challenging when visibility goes down and you are not able to see your dive partner. You need to know what to do,” Neisinger said.
Neisinger said one challenge for divers is the risk of decompression sickness; this happens when nitrogen builds in the system when divers come towards the surface too fast. Divers can help avoid this by making stops as they move toward the surface to decompress nitrogen out of their system. Another challenge is navigating through tight areas and locating items under the mud that are not readily seen.
Neisinger appreciates the change from regular police work that diving provides. “It’s a break from putting a uniform on,” he said. “I’m still doing police work in a different way, searching for bad things underwater, in a completely different environment. That’s why I enjoy it.”
