Forgotten treasures are all but lost with Neil Rubsam, Lake Anna’s very own Dive Master who has a passion for underwater adventures, including… you guessed it, a set of dentures that fell right out of their owner’s mouth.

His voice crackles with excitement as he recounts his adventures, each word punctuated by a sense of awe and wonder. “It’s like a treasure trove down there,” he exclaims, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “From sunken boats to forgotten relics, you never know what you might find.”

Neil’s journey into the world of diving began after a challenging career in the Marine Corps. Returning home from tours in Iraq and Afghanastan, Neil took a well deserved vacation to Cancun, where he became “mezmerized” by his first diving experience. After that, he was able to use his military educational credits to pay for diving school.

Of course, most of Neil’s real treasure hunts aren’t here at Lake Anna, his explorations take him from the azure waters of Key Largo to the majestic presence of whale sharks and great whites. Neil has explored some of the ocean’s most awe-inspiring wonders, including a German Submarine that the coastguard sunk off the coast of North Carolina in the 1960’s but is still in tact.

But it’s the waters of Lake Anna that hold a special place in his heart. With over 300 dives in the lake, Neil knows the underwater landscape better than anyone.

“People think I’m crazy for diving into these waters,” Neil chuckles, “but to me, it’s a calling. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of uncovering lost treasures and bringing joy to those who thought all was lost.”

With each dive, Neil meticulously maps and journals his underwater discoveries, marking the landscape, what was found and any challenges that he’s able to overcome.

Neil notes significant differences in the lake’s underwater landscape, from the pristine sandy bottoms on the warm, private side to the murky waters and algae-filled areas on the public side. “The water at the 208 bridge is decent, some parts you can see, but up by Tim’s the bottom is so nasty I can stick my whole arm in and still never touch bottom… people call me about (dropping) their phones but there’s no way to get it at that point.”

Neil tries to determine whether or not he can find an item by keeping good records of the underwater landscape, but also by how close the owner can get him to where the item was lost. “If you’re drinking and forget where you drop your phone… good luck with that,” he said jokingly. “The key is getting out there quick before stuff gets covered up. Don’t look for it (yourself), you’re just gonna stir the bottom up.”

Common items that go missing in the lake include phones, Apple watches, jewelry and wedding rings. “There’s not been an iPhone yet pulled out of the lake that hasn’t worked! One of them was in the water for ten days… I dove for it, found it, and it turned on! Samsungs and Androids… they are toast…, no way… as soon as they hit the water they are done.”

“I’ve found stuff that other people couldn’t find,” he explained. “Once someone calls me I am there within hours… my response times are phenomenal.” But treasures aren’t the only items under the murky waters at Lake Anna. Neil has found lots of items that were either there when the lake was filled, or trash that was thrown in. “I always find a ton of batteries. People throw stuff in the water with no reguard… batteries, electrical wires, chairs… when people ask if they can dive with me, I tell them ‘no way’ it’s too dangerous.”

Yet, Neil’s work extends beyond recovery missions. Concerned about the environmental impact of discarded items in the lake, he plans to initiate cleanup dives to rid the waters of debris and pollutants, ensuring a safer and cleaner environment for all. Neil is a father of two boys and a real estate agent at Lake Anna. He also is a scuba diver for hire. Follow Neil on Facebook at ‘Lake Anna Recovery Diver’.

Jen Bailey

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