FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — A collaborative effort among local law enforcement agencies successfully removed a submerged Gulf Stream airplane from a dive training lake on Wednesday, which had reportedly been there for decades.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Port St. Lucie Police Department and the West Palm Beach Police Department, said that they all worked together for this significant mission.

The Gulf Stream airplane had served as a unique underwater training site for law enforcement dive teams for several decades.

Officials said that as the facility prepares for renovations, the removal of the aircraft from the IRSC Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex dive training lake marked an essential step in enhancing safety and training opportunities.

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According to authorities, the operation required meticulous planning, teamwork, and specialized buoyancy equipment to safely bring the airplane to the surface. After hours of hard work, the combined dive teams were successful in their mission.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office extended special thanks to All Hooked Up Towing & Recovery for their expertise in extracting and transporting the aircraft, as well as to Scuba Diving International for their ongoing support, which ensured the operation ran smoothly and safely.

The West Palm Beach Police Department expressed how training together not only strengthens partnerships but also ensures that dive teams are prepared to respond promptly to community needs.

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