In order to improve water safety prior to the summer camp season, members of the Downe Township Fire/Rescue and Dive Team responded to Camp Edge, a ministry of Ranch Hope, on June 13th for a public service dive operation.

A massive wooden dock that had sunk about 150 feet offshore was removed by divers in roughly four hours, according to officials. It took a lot of underwater labor to securely disassemble and remove the structure because it was still fastened to pilings that were embedded in the lake bottom.

Crews started removing the remaining pilings once the dock was dismantled. Firefighters on Rescue 39 successfully lifted one piling using the winch, and they intend to return with more equipment to remove the remaining three. The project was completed to help ensure a safe swimming area for campers this summer. Officials also thanked the Hopewell-Stow Creek Fire Department for providing drone support during the operation.