NTSB Advisory
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
July 21, 1999

STATEMENT BY NTSB CHAIRMAN JIM HALL AND REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD LARRABEE

Just before noon today, hard hat Navy divers began diving operations from the U.S.S. Grasp at the wreckage site of a large portion of the fuselage of N9253N. The dive lasted approximately 45 minutes. The divers were accompanied by a Remotely Operated Vehicle.

At the wreckage site, the divers successfully located the bodies of John F. Kennedy, Jr., Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and Lauren Bessette.

The Coast Guard this afternoon provided transportation for Senator Edward Kennedy, Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Mr. Edward Kennedy, Jr., to the U.S.S. Grasp so that they may be briefed on the recovery operations.

A second dive is underway to recover the bodies for positive identification. Following the retrieval, the diving operation will be focused on the recovery of the main fuselage located last night by the NOAA ship Rude. Additional information will be provided as available.

Cape Cod Command Center - (508) 968 - 6613 or (508) 968 - 6614