Coast Guard Crews Search For Missing Key Biscayne Diver
KEY BISCAYNE (CBSMiami) – Coast Guard crews are looking for a 48-year-old man who went missing Sunday afternoon after going for a dive in Key Biscayne.
The man was with a group of friends on a boat three miles off of the island when he jumped into the rough waters without his flippers, according to the Coast Guard.
When he began to drift away from the boat, his friends jumped into the water after him to help. The too began to struggle in the rough water and the person driving the boat turned around to pick them up. That is when the group realized that one person was still missing, according to Coast Guard.
After receiving a call about the missing man, the Coast Guard sent out a 33-foot boat and helicopter to search for him. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Miami-Dade Marine Patrol, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Miami-Dade Air Rescue are also assisting in the search.
"I saw two big Coast Guard boats, U.S. Coast Guards, a newer one and a big one they were going through government cut, I was following him the whole way," said Albert Leal.
Captain Spencer Howell said Sunday was rough day to be on the water.
"It's pretty tumultuous out there, I'd say a strong wind from the East-Northeast," said Howell.
It was a day when even experienced divers could run into trouble.
"Seconds, seconds, strong like that and you don't know what you're doing you can be swept away," said Howell.
The man was said to have been wearing a black wet suit and personal floatation device.
Anyone with further information on the missing diver is asked to contact Coast Guard at (305) 415-6800.
