Cape Fear, North Carolina – The Coast Guard has launched a search and rescue operation for four male divers who went missing on Sunday approximately 50 miles south of Cape Fear, North Carolina.
The alarm was raised when Coast Guard Sector North Carolina received a notification from Coast Guard Sector Charleston, reporting that four individuals who were diving from the pleasure craft Big Bill’s, situated around 63 miles east of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, had not returned to the surface around noon.
In a coordinated effort with Sector Charleston, Sector North Carolina swiftly mobilized a multi-asset search and rescue mission. The rescue crews engaged in the operation include:
A MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina
An HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Air Station Elizabeth City
An HC-130 aircraft crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater
A 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Oak Island, North Carolina
The Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish, an 87-foot patrol boat hailing from Sandy Hook, New Jersey
The Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin, an 87-foot patrol boat based in Charleston, South Carolina
The current sea conditions are reported to be approximately 2-3 feet with winds reaching 10 knots. The search and rescue operation is focused on the area where the divers were last seen and is being conducted with utmost diligence and professionalism.
The Coast Guard remains committed to ensuring the safety of all individuals at sea and will continue to provide updates on the progress of the search as more information becomes available.
