Coast Guard, partner agencies continue search for missing diver 7 miles south of Summerland Key

Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios (archive).

KEY WEST, Fla. — The Coast Guard and partner agencies continue​ searching for a​ 73-year-old female diver​ who was reported missing approximately seven miles south of Summerland Key on Tuesday afternoon.

Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received a call at approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday from the woman's husband aboard the vessel, Mai Tai, stating that his wife went missing while diving with him. Watchstanders launched a Coast Guard Station Marathon 33-foot Special Purpose Craft—Law Enforcement crew, Coast Guard Station Key West 45-foot Response Boat—Medium crew, Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evans (WPC-1110) crew to the scene to assist.

“This is a multi-agency effort and crews are searching diligently to locate the missing diver,"​ said Capt. Adam Chamie, commander of Sector Key West. "We have been searching around the clock with a truly all-hands on deck effort.”​

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Assets currently searching include Coast Guard small boats from Station Key West, Coast Guard Cutters Raymond Evans and Tarpon, Coast Guard and Navy helicopters, fixed-wing Coast Guard aircraft, as well as dive teams from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Monroe County Sheriff's Office, and Army Special Forces Underwater Operations School.

In total, assets have searched an area spanning 187 square miles.

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Coast Guard cutter rescues 6 from sinking boat off Sunny Isles, Fla.

MIAMI- Six people are shown in the water after their boat sank 25 miles west of Sunny Isles, Fla., Saturday, April 6, 2019. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Cochito (WPB 87329), homeported in Miami Fla., arrived on scene and rescued all six people from the water. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cochito photo.

MIAMI — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Cochito (WPB 87329) rescued six people from the water after their boat was taking on water 25 miles west of Sunny Isles.

Coast Guard 7th District watchstanders received notification from a Personal Locator Beacon at approximately 9 a.m. Watchstanders launched an MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami and the Cutter Cochito to investigate.

The crew of the Cochito arrived on scene as the vessel was reportedly taking on water rapidly and sinking. The Cochito crew rescued all six people from the water and transferred them to a Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale small-boat crew where they were transported to Haulover Park in good condition.

No injuries were reported.

“This case highlights the importance of how an EPIRB can save your life and the life of your loved ones,” said Lt.j.g. Paul Puddington, the Cochito's commanding officer. “We were able to receive notification, get to the scene quickly and rescue them from the water before a deteriorating situation became worse.”

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