MIAMI — A search-and-rescue crew aboard a helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla., is searching for a diver three nautical miles southeast of New Providence, Bahamas, Sunday morning.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Seventh District command center received a report from the Royal Bahamian Defense Force of two divers who were reported missing after their 21-foot pleasure craft became adrift and was towed back to port. One of the divers was able to swim to shore while search efforts continue for the other.
A deployed Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew is conducting a search for the remaining diver.
The Coast Guard highly recommends divers heed the following five tips:
1. Have a medical assessment conducted by a doctor before diving.
2. Always dive with a buddy, and leave details of your dive trip with someone ashore who will report you overdue if you run into trouble.
3. Plan your dive, follow your plan, and provide your emergency plan to someone on shore.
4. Choose dives that match your training, experience and fitness level.
5. Practice emergency procedures, like dropping your weight belt and inflating your buoyancy compensator, in a controlled environment.
For more information on diving safety: https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/
