LANK, Mark

LANK, Mark (1952-1977)[SS#548-92-4994], drowned while diving near Casino Point on June 25, 1977. He is buried in Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, CA.

In the News~

July 1, 1977 [The Catalina Islander]: “Man dies in scuba accident. Mark J. Lank, 24, of Encino died while scuba diving about 100 yards east of Casino Point in Avalon at approximately 11:30 AM on June 25. The body was retrieved by Baywatch lifeguard Lockwood and Carl Koehler of Catalina Divers Supply. Lank was pronounced dead by Dr. Claude Harvey, commander, US Navy Medical Corps, senior medical officer stationed aboard the USS Florikan, which was in the bay at the time. The victim's diving buddy, Ronald Sherwood, 24, of Van Nuys reported to Sheriff's deputies that the two had been at about 90 feet when Lank showed great distress and began swimming rapidly to the surface. Sherwood tried to reach him but had his face mask kicked off. Sherwood notified Carl Koehler at the Casino Dive Station as soon as he was able to surface. Koehler notified the authorities and entered the water to look for Lank. Divers from the USS Florikan were asked to join in the search but the body was found before they entered the water. Sherwood indicated that this had been the victim's first dive in well over a year.”