Monterey Peninsula community has fond memories of plane crash victims
PACIFIC GROVE – Many in the scuba diving community, both locally and internationally, are mourning the loss of James Vincent, the owner of the Aquarius Dive Shop in Monterey, as well as Steve Clatterbuck and Jamie Lee Tabscott, who all died in a plane crash Saturday night off the coast of Pacific Grove.
Vincent “has been great to me over the years that I’ve worked with that dive shop. I knew the former owner and met James when he first took over,” said Dennis McFadden, a diving enthusiast in Monterey. “He gave great service and terrific area dive guidance. Several times when I had equipment issues he offered grace and flexibility. I’m greatly saddened by his passing, his shop was a true asset. My grandson and three of his friends were certified at Aquarius.”
Steve Clatterbuck (Facebook)“R.I.P. Stevie and James, my heart is completely in pieces, to have woken up and to hear about this. My condolences to the families that have to endure the devastating news of their loved ones,” George Raptis of Amaso Dive Center in Greece posted Sunday night on Facebook. “I miss you all tremendously.”
Monterey residents Vincent, 36, and Tabscott, 44, as well Clatterbuck, a 60-year old from Salinas, were aboard a small aircraft that crashed about 400 yards off Point Pinos, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The twin engine plane departed the San Carlos Airport in the Bay Area just after 10 p.m. Saturday, heading to Monterey Regional Airport.
Flight N8796R, a twin-engine Beechcraft, crashed into the ocean near Sunset Drive and Jewell Avenue around 10:38 p.m. The Coast Guard Station Monterey launched a 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew which arrived on scene approximately 15 minutes after notification, according to a news release.
The Coast Guard did a full search with divers, and recovered three bodies, according to Lt. Kyle Fagan. The search concluded at about 9 a.m. Sunday morning.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.
Others involved in the diving community have shared stories and photos of Vincent and Clatterbuck online — both well-known on the Peninsula for being involved with other nonprofit organizations and dive shops.
Friends and family have also shared about their time with Vincent over the years, knowing him to be staple in the community.
“I have known James for many years through business interactions. He was a kind-hearted, fair, smart, ambitious, and adventurous person,” said Laurie Huelga, the communications manager for the city of Monterey. “His warm smile and steadfast presence will be missed by so many in the community. He had so much more to accomplish and to give us through his love of life.”
“Anyone who knew him (Vincent) will smile, shake their head, and probably have a really awesome story to tell,” Monterey Moose Family Center posted to Facebook Sunday evening. “James was the kind of guy who made you feel like you mattered, who brought calm, laughter and common sense to any conversation.”
Former Herald reporter Eve Britton hadn’t seen Clatterbuck for years, but remembered him as “a good guy, like a really good guy. He walked the talk. I had a lot of respect for him.”
Melissa Johnson, who identified herself as Clatterbuck’s stepdaughter on Facebook posted, “Both (Clatterbuck and Vincent) were adventurers and lived life to the fullest, whether they were in the air, underwater or on land.”
