08/16/2026
In light of some recent events in our area, as well as comments that have been made on social media, we feel it is important to take a moment to clarify a few things on behalf of Blackwater Diving Company.
For many years, we have had the privilege of serving Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding communities. We provide dive and recovery services to those in need, and much of our summer is spent answering calls from people who are facing difficult, unexpected, and sometimes heartbreaking circumstances.
For those who have never needed our services, we are genuinely thankful that you have never found yourself in that position. But should that day ever come, we want you to know that we are here.
We also want to take a moment to introduce the people behind Blackwater Diving Company.
We are a small, family-run business—a husband-and-wife team with two young sons who keep our lives wonderfully busy. We are active in our church, our community, and our children's sports. Blackwater Diving Company is important to us, but so are our faith, our family, and the commitments we have made to them.
Overnight and today, there has been a great deal of conversation online regarding a beloved dog who tragically drowned in Smith Mountain Lake. We were contacted by the family regarding a possible recovery. Unfortunately, due to circumstances and prior family commitments, we were unable to provide that service this weekend. We were celebrating our founder's birthday with family, and Sundays are a day we intentionally reserve for church, our boys, family, and baseball.
Unfortunately, comments began circulating suggesting that our inability to respond meant that we did not care about this family or their beloved pet. Others suggested that we are simply in this business for profit.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
As much as we wish we could answer every call, at every hour, on every day, the reality is that sometimes we simply cannot. We are a small, family-operated company, and there will be occasions when our existing commitments prevent us from responding.
That does not mean we don't care.
In fact, we spent time trying to determine whether there was any way we could rearrange our commitments to assist this family. As animal lovers ourselves, our hearts truly ache for them. We also reached out to fellow divers in hopes of finding someone who might be available when we could not.
We also want to make one thing abundantly clear:
Recovery services in circumstances such as this are, and always will be, provided by us free of charge.
We will never attempt to profit from another person's heartbreak, loss, or devastation. There are services we provide as a business for which we charge, but when someone is facing a tragedy such as this, our first thought is not about what we can gain. It is about whether we can help.
Those who have worked with us personally know the compassion, integrity, and respect we strive to bring to every situation. Over the years, we have met people in some difficult situations. We do not take lightly the trust placed in us when someone calls Blackwater Diving Company for help.
We may not always be able to say yes. We may not always be immediately available. We are divers, business owners, parents, spouses, members of our church and community, and human beings with responsibilities outside of our work. But when we are able to help, we help because we genuinely care.
Our hearts remain with this family, as we are under the understanding that their beloved dog has been recovered and they can now receive the closure they deserve.
Finally, to everyone who has trusted, supported, recommended, and encouraged Blackwater Diving Company: thank you.
Your support is the reason we are able to continue doing what we do. It is an honor to serve this community, and we will continue doing our very best to show up with compassion, professionalism, and integrity whenever we are able.
As always, when you find yourself in a time of need, Blackwater Diving Company is here to help.
