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A commercial diving accident in Hawaii claims the life of a Honolulu firefighter while he is working for Hukilau Foods. The maritime accident took place at approximately 2:30 on Tuesday afternoon, May 24, 2011, while diving for a moi fish farm off Pearl Harbor.
According to reports, a 41-year-old Honolulu firefighter became unresponsive while making a dive for Hukilau Foods approximately two miles offshore. The victim, who has been identified as Jeffry Barbieto, 41, of Kaneohe, was transported by rescue crews to Pali Momi Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the diving accident. It was later determined that he drowned.
According to Honolulu fire Captain, Terry Seelig, Mr. Barbieto was a firefighter assigned to Rescue 2 Company in Mililani Mauka.
"One of the best, fearless," said Bryan Amona, a friend of Mr. Barbieto. "He was an adrenaline junky. Risky stuff, he ate it up."
Mr. Amona also said that his friend loved making daring rescues. He noted one instance in 2000 when Mr. Barbieto received a commendation for jumping into the ocean from a helicopter to rescue two divers.
The commercial diving accident is still under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard. The exact cause of Mr. Barbieto's drowning has yet to be determined.
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