SEATTLE — The Coast Guard is searching for a missing diver off Duncan Rock near Cape Flattery.
Missing is Lynn Flaherty, a 61 year-old female wearing a dry suit, who reportedly has 1,200 dives worth of experience.
A watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received a report of the missing diver at 11:25 a.m., and immediately directed the launch of search crews from Station Neah Bay and Air Station Port Angeles. A boatcrew aboard a 29-foot Response Boat-Small II was first on scene at 11:35 a.m. Crews aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat and a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter are also on scene.
The missing diver started the dive with her husband, and they were scheduled to resurface together at about 11:15 a.m.
“We responded quickly and had crews on scene within 10 minutes of receiving the call,” said Eric Cookson, command duty officer, Sector Puget Sound. “We are saturating the search area, and we are hopeful of a successful outcome.”
The Washington Department of Emergency Management is dispatching dive team from Kitsap County to assist in the search. An aircrew from Air Station Astoria, Oregon, aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter is en route as is the Coast Guard Cutter Swordfish, which is en route from the San Juan Islands. A Canadian Coast Guard helicopter is standing by if needed.
The current water temperature is 57 degrees, and the air temperature is 60 degrees. Searchers have 10 miles of visibility.