OOMS, William

OOMS, William Arlo (1948-2013)

In the News~

February 2, 2013 [Santa Maria Times]: “Santa Cruz Island. A diver found dead Friday afternoon on the north side of Santa Cruz Island has been identified as 59-year-old William Arlo Ooms of Solvang, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department. Ooms was reported missing about 12:20 p.m. Friday by the dive group he was with, and found about 4:30 p.m. Friday. The dive boat they were on, the 22-foot Coram Deo, is based at Santa Barbara Harbor. The U.S. Coast Guard flew in divers from Los Angeles County to help with the search, and Ooms’ dive group also continued to search and ultimately found him. The Santa Barbara County Coroner’s Bureau is investigating Ooms’ cause of death, and a final report is not expected for several weeks, according to sheriff’s officials.”

February 15-28, 2013 [The Log]: “Body of missing diver found off Santa Cruz Island. Santa Barbara. Authorities reported that the body of a missing diver has been found in the waters off Santa Cruz Island. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department said 59-year-old William Arlo Ooms of Solvang was reported missing February 1 from a 22-foot dive boat names Coram Deo. The National Park Service conducted a search, along with officials from Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties. A Coast Guard helicopter also was used. Several hours later, snorkelers from Coram Deo discovered Oom's body on the north side of the island. The body was brought to the Coast Guard station at Channel Islands Harbor, where Ooms was pronounced dead. A coroner's investigation was ongoing at press time.”