BOSTON — The Coast Guard is searching for a 64-year-old diver Wednesday who went missing while diving near the Andrea Doria wreck, about 60 nautical miles southeast of Nantucket.
Crew aboard the commercial diving boat John Jack notified Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England watchstanders Tuesday at about 1 p.m. reporting the man did not resurface from his dive. An Air Station Cape Cod HC-144 Casa air crew was immediately diverted and on scene within three minutes of the initial report.
Another diver confirmed being with the missing man at their 20-foot decompression stop, then did not see him upon reaching the surface.
In addition to the Casa aircrew, crews aboard the 225-foot Coast Guard Cutter Juniper, 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Chinook, and multiple MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod are searching for the man.
So far, the Coast Guard has searched more than 159 square nautical miles.
The Andrea Doria wreck rests in 240 feet of water. Diving in the area has resulted in 7 deaths and 4 injuries since 2005.
“Diving is an inherently dangerous activity,” said Tim Carton, First Coast Guard District search and rescue specialist.“In addition to health hazards, here in New England, water temperatures are especially cold and there are strong currents, especially around our shores and islands.”
The ocean is unforgiving. The Coast Guard reminds everyone on the water, whether diving, snorkeling, boating, or swimming to stay vigilant, especially in unfamiliar places.