A search for a 55-year-old diver who disappeared off the coast of Deerfield Beach has ended, the Coast Guard said Thursday.
The suspension of the search was confirmed this morning by Petty Officer Brandon Murray.
After searching 3,932 square-nautical miles for over 68 hours, rescuers were unable to locate the diver who was reported missing from a dive boat about 5:55 p.m. Sunday.
“The Coast Guard’s search-and-rescue mission is one we take very personally, and it is never easy suspending a search,” Christopher Eddy, the Coast Guard 7th District’s search and rescue mission coordinator, said in a statement.
Authorities haven’t publicly released the diver’s name.
The group was aboard the charter boat Lady Go Diver about a half-mile south of Deerfield Beach. The boat is owned by Dixie Divers in Deerfield Beach.
Dixie Divers owner Arilton Pavon said the diver was visiting from out of state with friends.
The man had completed one dive earlier Sunday afternoon with no problems, Pavon said, but he never surfaced from a second dive.
The Coast Guard had three rescue ships, a plane and a helicopter involved in the search. Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue marine units, Boca Raton Fire Rescue, and the Hillsboro Police Department also helped with the search.
Staff reporter Andrew Boryga contributed to this story.
wkroustan@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4303 or Twitter @WayneRoustan
