LOS ANGELES — At 9:13 a.m., Wednesday, the Coast Guard suspended active search efforts pending further developments for a missing diver near Isthmus Harbor on Catalina Island.
At about 12 p.m., Tuesday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach Command Center, received a report from the 48-foot commercial dive vessel, Sundiver Express, of a missing female diver near Ship Rock.
The Coast Guard immediately launched a 45-foot Response Boat Medium from Coast Guard Station Los Angeles-Long Beach, an MH-65D Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Los Angeles, and Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal, homeported in Newport Beach. The Los Angeles County Sheriff and Los Angeles County Fire Departments aided in search efforts by providing surface assets, divers and a helicopter.
The 45-year-old woman was reported to be an experienced diver but was diving without a dive buddy. “Diving can be a risky activity. We always encourage divers to dive with a buddy and maintain an ample supply of air to ensure a safe dive.” said Capt. Jennifer Williams, commanding officer, Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach.
The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.
“It is always a difficult decision to end an active search, however, Coast Guard crews along with the members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department saturated the area for 24 hours in search for the missing diver,” said Capt. Jennifer Williams, commanding officer, Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach.
If anyone has information on the location of the missing diver, please contact Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach Command Center at (310) 521-3801.