As part of its continuing commitment to safety, Mares and Dacor have provided equipment for a rescue dive response vehicle that the National Foundation For Public Safety will deploy in Key Largo. (See www.yoursafetymatters.org).

This rescue rig is considered the first and most advanced 'heavy' rescue emergency dive response vehicle in the world. The truck carries its own personal watercraft and has several crew members, one of whom is Max Walchuk, Fire Department Commander for Key Largo.

Walchuk was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor and named a "Knight of the Order of Lions" by the nation of Senegal, Africa, for his role in supporting the Senegalese Navy when the passenger transport ferry Joola capsized and sank off the Senegalese coast, drowning 1,900 people. It was the worst maritime disaster involving a single ship in peacetime. The award represents the nation's highest honor.

In addition to the diving portion of Walchuk's work, it was of special significance that he spent much time afterwards talking with the country's divers who saw so much, and consoled them in regards to the shocking scenes that they witnessed within the Joola.

Walchuk also spoke directly to family and friends of those who perished on matters that pertained to the extremely dangerous conditions that the Senegalese divers braved in their attempt to save lives.

The diving and experience that Walchuk gained during this emergency, coupled with his background in this field, will help better understand preparedness for such disasters in the future.

(For more information about the NFPS contact Walchuk at 312 214 3575, or by email at: [email protected])