A missing diver has been found dead following a multi-agency search off Florida’s Atlantic coast near Fort Pierce Inlet.
According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce received a Mayday call over VHF Channel 16 at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 26, reporting a missing diver.
The Coast Guard coordinated an extensive search alongside the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit. FWC deployed four vessels, while aerial search assets from both the Coast Guard and FWC also participated in the operation.
Authorities located the dive vessel approximately six to seven miles north-northeast of Fort Pierce Inlet, east of Avalon State Park.
Friends of the missing diver also launched a private vessel from Fort Pierce Inlet to assist with the search.
At approximately 4:10 p.m., civilian divers entered the water and located the missing diver on the seabed in approximately 55 feet (17 metres) of water.
The diver was recovered and pronounced deceased.
The body was transported to Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce, where detectives from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division assumed responsibility for the investigation.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the diver pending notification of extended family.
Investigators have also not released any information regarding the circumstances leading to the diver’s disappearance or the cause of death.
The incident remains under investigation.
Developing Story
The Scuba News will update this story if authorities release the diver’s identity or provide additional information regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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