Search Continues For Diver Who Went Missing Off Ft. Lauderdale
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - A night and day have gone by with no sign of missing diver Marc Raroha.
Raroha, 42, went diving Saturday about a mile off Fort Lauderdale Beach and never resurfaced.
His parents got the news Saturday afternoon. At first, Marc's father couldn't believe his son was missing.
Watch Maggie Newland's report, click here.
"He's been diving for probably 20-years so he's got some experience behind him," said Dave Raroha. "He's registered, certified so he's got the skill set. My fear was from the descriptions of what happened he maybe had some kind of equipment failure. It was all new equipment, but maybe something went defunct."
Raroha's parents said Marc hadn't been diving in quite a while until Saturday when he went out with a group of seven people - a boat captain and five other divers.
"One come up, two come up, three, four, five and no six," said Raroha.
The search began quickly Saturday afternoon with boats in the water and helicopters in the air.
Ft. Lauderdale police used thermal imaging to try and locate him under the water with no luck.
A Coast Guard cutter continued searching off shore throughout the day Sunday and Marc's family members said the divers who were with Marc when he disappeared returned to the area to search for themselves.
"Makes me feel good that they'd go back out there because they're risking their life, basically if there's something out there that would cause a problem, I don't know what would cause a problem," said Raroha.
At this point, it's unclear what happened to Marc Raroha and why he never resurfaced from his dive. His parents say their son owns an air conditioning business and describe him as a hard worker.
"He's a real good son; I've never had any problems with him," said Dave Raroha.
As the search continues, his parents can do little, but wait for word about their son.
"They're telling me some people have been out there for four or five days floating about. He's young, he's healthy and hopefully he'll show up," added his father.
The Coast Guard said a cutter would stay on the water throughout the night Sunday and continue searching Monday.
Marc's dad said if his equipment was functioning properly it is state-of-the-art equipment and he hopes it will keep his son alive.
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