U.S. Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Female Diver

The active search for a missing diver off Duncan Rock near Cape Flattery has been suspended, the Coast Guard informed.

According to U.S. Coast Guard a 61 year-old female diver, who reportedly has 1,200 dives worth of experience, went missing on August 25.

A watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received a report of the missing diver at 11:25 a.m., and immediately directed the launch of search crews from Station Neah Bay and Air Station Port Angeles.

The missing diver started the dive with her husband, and they were scheduled to resurface together at about 11:15 a.m.

The search was suspended on August 26, at about 5:30 p.m., after crews aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Swordfish, MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, from Air Station Port Angeles, and boatcrews aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat and 29-foot Response Boat-Small II, from Station Neah Bay, conducted 24 searches over more than 30 hours.

Coast Guard crews searched more than 1,200 trackline miles and 290 square miles during search efforts.

“The decision to suspend a search is extremely difficult and our thoughts are with the missing person and her family at this time,” said Michael D. McKiernan, command duty officer Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound.