Helo & Sub

22/07/2024

Here is another search video with Ryan Finds Truth from my trip to the mountains of NC and Eastern TN in early July. In this search, we sonar mapped Beech Creek and searched the banks for 5 year old Summer Wells who went missing in the summer of 2021.

Stop leaving yourself vulnerable to data breaches. Go to our sponsor, Aura, using my link: https://Aura.com/ryanfindstruth to get a 14-day free trial and see...

27/06/2024

Hello everyone.

As you know, I have been spending much of my time searching for missing persons. I spend many hours at home researching and planning and then head out to various locations across the southeast to search. For over a year I have self funded these efforts and have helped to locate and recover the remains of 2 persons underwater that went missing in 1992 and 2000, and have located 2 recently missing persons on land, unfortunately both were deceased.

With the recent changes in my life this has become more difficult to do with my limited budget, primarily when it comes to fuel. I have refrained from asking for donations up until now, but moving forward I would greatly appreciate any assistance in keeping me out there on the search.

Next week I will be at Linville Gorge helping Burke County EMS look for a woman that went missing in early 2022. 67 year old Frances Collett Apperson. It is believed that she may have fallen into the falls and her remains are underwater either in the pool beneath the falls or in numerous deep sections of Linville river as it winds through the gorge.

After that I am proceeding to Kingsport Tennessee to help another search group look for Layla Santanello, 20, who went missing during the summer of last year.

I'll be heading to Florida in a couple of weeks to continue various search efforts including my continued search for Haleigh Cummings, a 5 year old that went missing in Satsuma Florida in 2009. There is an area around the seven sisters islands that Law Enforcement did not have the technology we have today to search.

Please take a look at my GoFundMe, share it, and help me bring answers to loved ones of the missing and if possible, bring them home.

Thank You and God Bless.

Man on a Mission! Hello, my name is Vern Shurtz and I am the Owner/Operator… Vern Shurtz needs your support for Help Fuel our Search for the Missing

09/04/2024

08/04/2024

Boat Ramp Breakfast!!!

07/04/2024

With Recon Dive Recovery in West Palm Beach!

05/04/2024

05/04/2024

Fine tuning our tech!!

02/04/2024

Daytona Buc-ees!! Next stop, West Palm Beach.

31/03/2024

On March 28th, Hernando County Sheriff's Office issued a missing persons "Purple Alert" for Robert Manrique of Spring Hill, Florida.

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Robert Manrique was last seen on 03-26-2024 at approximately 2 a.m., as he drove away from his residence on Forest Wood Court in Spring Hill.

Manrique left the residence driving a silver 2001 Acura TL, bearing FL handicapped tag/VJ1VV. It is unknown where Manrique was headed, as he has no known family or friends in the area.
Manrique is a paraplegic. After getting into his vehicle, he left his wheelchair in the garage. He does not have any way to exit the vehicle, unassisted.

Manrique sent text messages to family members stating he was considering self-harm.

Manrique’s vehicle was last known to be on I-75 at the Pasco/Hernando county line, on 03-26-24 just after 4 p.m.
Robert Manrique’s physical description is as follows:
Race – WHITE
S*x – MALE
DOB – 11-22-1973
Height – 5’11”
Weight – 165
Eyes – BROWN
Hair – BROWN
Clothing – UNKNOWN
Miscellaneous - PARAPLEGIC.

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Although Recon Dive Recovery and Helo & Sub have been working a number Missing Persons Cold Cases with 4 persons located in the past year, we have decided to perform searches in more recent cases along with assisting Public Safety in Aquatic Search and Rescue/Recovery operations and training. So far this year we have located a recent missing person in January at a welcome center in South Carolina, unfortunately deceased, and helped rescue a kayaker a couple weeks ago who's kayak flipped over on a lake in North Carolina, stranding the victim several hundred yards from shore.

After a few days of Robert not being located, we decided to launch a preliminary search around his last known location on I-75 around the Hernando/Pasco County Line. Helo & Sub first checked the north and south bound rest areas south of the county line and cleared them.

Within a 5 mile radius of the last known location there were 2 boat ramps and it was decided to do an onsite visual search and possibly a sonar search of these water access points. Since Robert could not leave his vehicle, these seemed logical locations in a self-harm scenario.

As Helo & Sub approached the entrance to the first boat ramp there were several Sherriff's vehicles with lights on along with a Forensics van. Robert had been found approximately 2 hours prior.

Although we were not the first teams to find Robert, the important thing is that he was found.

Our condolences and prayers go out to the family of Robert Manrique and a thank you to the Pasco County Sheriff's Dept. and Hernando County Sheriff's Office for their efforts in locating him.

Su***de deeply affects the loved ones of those that decide to take their life. If you have had thoughts of or are considering su***de, please seek help. Every life is precious, especially your own.

God Bless each and every one of you on this Easter Sunday...

Helo & Sub and Recon Dive Recovery

31/03/2024

Will post more information soon. Heading to the southern HQ from the search area.

Helo & Sub is on-scene where a recent Missing Person was located deceased at a boat ramp during our search of rest areas & boat ramps a few miles from the Victim's last sighting.

We'll release details once cleared by the Sheriff.

29/03/2024

Jeopardy Time: I'll take aquatic anomalies for $1000 Alex!

During Recon Dive Recovery and Helo & Subs training of Public Safety Officers a couple weeks ago, we saw a strange anomaly on sonar and sent an ROV out to get eyes on and identify it.

(Remember, your answer must be in the form of a question.)

29/03/2024

Bringing a loved one home is what matters!!

21/03/2024

Ema chillin while we set up for 2 days of training Public Safety Officers at the Monroe Training Grounds.

18/03/2024

Kayaker saved during emergency training in BurlingtonFor more North Carolina news, visit https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/. For news from North Carolin...

03/03/2024

Josh Cantu - Josh Cantu - Juke Motion Pictures has posted second episode of the search we did in South Florida where we found 32 cars in one lake. Had to fight the Florida weather a bit on this one.

Recon Dive Recovery United Search Corps Sunshine State Sonar Helo & Sub

With Doug Bishop, United Search Corps, Recon Dive Recovery, Helo & Sub, and Sunshine Sonar in search for vehicles underwater connected to cold cases in the ...

26/02/2024

https://www.theutilityexpo.com/news/expert-pilot-answers-the-biggest-questions-about-d

The use of drones in the utility industry has been expanding in a big way over the past few years. According to drone expert Vern Shurtz, the electric utility industry is toward the front of the pack.

23/02/2024

Josh Cantu just posted a video of the search we did in South Florida where we found 32 cars in one lake, It was a crazy weekend for sure and we all worked together for a common good.

Doug and I had the opportunity to fly out to Florida last summer (August of 2023) to assist @HeloAndSub and in a sear...

25/01/2024

UPDATE: Kelly was found deceased and the case has been closed. Our hearts go out to his family during this time.

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Have you seen this person?

Kelly Hook was supposed to be in transit to Palm Coast from Richmond, Virginia and arrive on Saturday, January 13th, but never arrived. He is operating a 2011 maroon Ford F250.

DESCRIPTION
• Age: 61
• Race: White
• S*x: Male
• Height: 5’9”
• Weight : 150 lbs
• Hair: Bald
• Eyes: Brown

If you see Kelly or know his location, please contact the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911.

25/01/2024

Vernon Shurtz, owner/operator of Helo & Sub is an Adjunct Instructor at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide Campus Department of Flight. Here is a glimpse of the technology and education available at this prestigious university.

Check it out at: https://erau.edu/degrees/bachelor/uncrewed-autonomous-systemsEmbry‑Riddle prepares students for work with UAS (Uncrewed Aircraft Systems) an...

25/01/2024

Autonomous and Unmanned Systems Experts

H&S specializes in the use of Autonomous and Unmanned Systems for aerial and aquatic exploration and data capture services. Our highly skilled and qualified operators are Military Veterans and dedicated to providing professional, mission oriented operations, where data quality and operational safety are of the upmost importance.

Our services are as follow,

• Video and Photography
• Inspection and Exploration
• Mapping and Photogrammetry
• STEM Education and Training
• Search and Rescue/Recovery
• Disaster Response