Four divers go missing off the coast of Cape Fear, NC, as the Coast Guard launches a search
Four divers go missing off the coast of Cape Fear, NC, as the Coast Guard launches a search
- The United States Coast Guard is looking for four divers missing from a ‘pleasure boat’ about 50 miles south of Cape Fear
- The divers went missing between different Coast Guard sectors in both North and South Carolina
- Coast Guard Sector Charleston first reported the four men missing around noon
The United States Coast Guard is looking for four divers who went missing from a “pleasure craft” about 50 miles south of Cape Fear in North Carolina.
The divers were found to be missing from communications between various Coast Guard sectors in both North and South Carolina.
Coast Guard Sector Charleston first reported that the four men dived from a vessel dubbed “Big Bill’s” about noon Sunday, about 103 miles east of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
They found that the men had not resurfaced and the two sectors launched a search and rescue effort.
The guard uses an aircrew from an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter; an HC-130 Hercules aircrew; an HC-130 aircrew; a crew of a 47-foot motor lifeboat; the Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish, an 87-foot patrol boat; and the Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin.
The United States Coast Guard is looking for four divers missing from a ‘pleasure boat’ about 50 miles south of Cape Fear in North Carolina
Crews range from North and South Carolina to Sandy Hook in New Jersey.
The current sea state is about 2-3 feet with winds of 10 knots and crews will continue to search through the night, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
The Diver Alert Network reports that there are approximately 80 to 90 deaths from diving accidents each year in the United States and Canada.
Diving deaths are lower than those for driving and many other sports.
Novice divers are usually responsible for half of all fatal divers.
The names of the missing men have not been released. Officials did not say whether the men were diving for anything specific.