World renowned filmmakers Mike DeGruy and Andrew Wight have tragically died in a helicopter crash in Australia. The accident occurred at 4pm local time on Saturday Feb. 4th. Mike is well known throughout the natural history filmmaking community for his award winning work as a cinematographer and skills as a diver & submarine pilot. Andrew was a very successful producer/writer and also a shared Mike’s passion for the ocean. The accident occurred while the men were researching locations for an upcoming shoot in the Jervis Bay area of New South Wales. They were working with James Cameron, who has been quoted as saying "the deep-sea community lost two of its finest" with the deaths of the two underwater documentary specialists.

Andrew Wight was the owner and pilot of the Robinson R-44 helicopter which is reported to have crashed soon after taking off from Nowra on Australia’s SE coast.
Both men were world-renowned documentary filmmakers specializing in ocean exploration and conservation and will be missed by their friends & colleagues across the world.
Mike is survived by his wife, Mimi, his son, Max, and his daughter, Frances. Andrew is survived by his wife, Monica, and his son, Ted.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-05/chopper-victims-were-world-renowned-filmmakers/3812482

Doug Allan, close friend of Mike's and his family had this to add about Mike.

"Mike was not just one of the best and most recognised film makers and presenters anywhere in the world, he was also simply one of the loveliest and most generous people in the business. I've known him for 22 years and his friendly advice was always forthcoming. I was in California on holiday with my son in August, I called Mike out of the blue when we found ourselves in Santa Barbara. Completely typically we were immediately his guests for the days we spent there, free use of the bikes, the boards, the food in the fridge. Typical Mike. Such a terrible sad accident, I know so many hearts and minds will be reaching out to Mimi, Max and Frances."

"Andrew Wight was a visionary too, and while I didn't know him so well, I recognise the loss of a good man who was also influential in getting images on to the screens.
For Monica and Ted, I know we all offer what support we can with our sympathies."

Services for Andrew will be held near Melbourne, AU. Additional details should be available within the next few days.   

A celebration of Mike's life is planned for Sunday, February 12th in Santa Barbara, CA.

See www.mikedegruy.com  for complete information.

If you would like to make a contribution in Mike's memory, 
please consider:
Santa Barbara Middle School:  www.sbms.org
Heal the Oceans: www.healthebay.org
Mobile Baykeepers: www.mobilebaykeeper.org