Ryan Osberg
Bob Glennon
Jan. 1st, 2016 Ryan Osberg and Bob Glennon went fishing on Pyramid Lake NV. When the two did not return, the authorities were notified. Their truck was found near tire tracks of where they may have launched their boat.
Jan. 14th I was first contacted by a friend of one of the families looking for help to locate Ryan and Bob. It was reported that the search was called off by the Paiute Tribe Unit until they had a better-known location and weather.
Monday Jan. 25th we were asked by Ryan’s sister to come locate Ryan and Bob. Ryan’s sister put me in contact with the Paiute Tribal Emergency Response Coordinator and the Washoe County Dive Coordinator. After a phone conversation with both agencies, I felt that we would get their cooperation to conduct a search.
There were some lake access permits that needed prior approval from the tribal council allowing us access to the lake to conduct our search. I mentioned that I have a business trip and I fly out of Chicago early on Feb. 9th. That means I would have to leave on Feb. 5th to make it back in time. The Tribal EMC said he would see what he could do.
Thursday Jan. 28th Beth and I left WI towing our boat for 1900 miles and a 30-hour drive. We got stuck in Wells, NV due to a couple of semi’s that was blocking I-80 from an accident. We woke up to 6” of snow the next morning. We made it to the Reno Hotel to meet with the family and friends that came from California that evening. We then found the family was not getting the cooperation they had hoped from the tribe in expediting permission for this specific search operation.
Sunday Jan. 31st We met with the Tribal EMC at their lodge. He agreed to set up a meeting with the Tribal Chairman in the morning and call us with the time. The family then went to the Ranger Station in which they were able to purchase the initial permit that all boaters have to purchase to be out on the lake.
Monday, Feb. 1st Late into the afternoon and the Tribal EMC had not yet called as promised. Along with the family, we decided to put the boat in and finish out the last couple of hours of the day on the lake scanning with sonar since we did have a boating permit.
We were about 1 ½ hours into our search when I got a call to come to the boat landing. I was met by the Tribal EMC and two more from the tribe. The family arrived with me where a heated discussion took place. I then was ordered off the Tribal Nation Reservation which surrounds and includes Lake Pyramid. We packed up and left. AND NOBODY ONE ENDED UP IN THE WATER!
Tuesday Feb. 2nd and Wednesday Feb. 3rd the family spent pleading with the Tribal folks to let us search and bring home their loved ones.
Wednesday Feb. 3rd in the afternoon, I was notified by the family that they were granted permission for us to operate on Pyramid Lake.
The families’ strong will and determination to have a chance to get their family members back home is what persuaded the council members to give us the permission to operate on their lake.
Feb. 4th We got back on the water all day Thursday and got a large area covered by sonar. We had no solid targets of interest.
Feb 5th Friday was pretty windy but we stayed with it. Late in the day we felt that we found both the gentlemen. I notified the authorities and sent them the images. The Sheriff’s Department Dive Team was then scheduled to come out and join the search, so this worked out perfect. We agreed on a meeting time for the next day. The depth was 130’ and including the elevation; 145’. Now it would need to be considered a technical dive limit.
Saturday Feb. 6th I was pleasantly surprised with the boats and manpower that had showed up to assist. The team leaders asked how I envisioned this search to proceed. When I got done with this interview I was impressed with the questions they asked. They agreed to everything and we began to brief the team.
At this depth, we needed to get our metal cage located within a few feet of our targets, to allow a diver to drop down a line from the surface to the cage right where the target is. It was afternoon by the time the first target was marked appropriately. We then decided to dive the target. The Washoe County Dive Team allowed me to make the dive and they were the backup divers. All went as planned and Bob Glennon was recovered.
Sunday Feb. 7th We meet at the boat landing with the Washoe County Dive Team Leader early on this morning to get a good start. Once again things went well and with all the help from the dive team they put our cage on our target. All went as planned and now Ryan Osberg was out and on his way home.
Working for Bob and Ryan’s family and friends all week was amazing. They were always there offering their help and making sure we had what we needed. The hurdles they were hit with and the way they fought back; I can assure you that Bob and Ryan are very proud of them! I only wish that more families knew there are more options and resources than they are told by authorities at times.