Missing diver in Monterey, CA area

[anchochile]

Search for missing diver off Monterey County coast suspended

Authorities suspended a search for a 27-year-old diver who disappeared in rough waters near Monterey.

www.cbsnews.com

MONTEREY COUNTY – The US Coast Guard and other first responders continued a maritime search for a missing diver off of Fanshell Beach in Monterey County on Sunday, according to a Coast Guard spokesman.

The 27-year-old diver was reported missing by other divers who had been caught in a riptide off of the beach on Saturday afternoon. The three others were able to make it to shore but one remained missing at 3:50 p.m., according to a statement from the Coast Guard.

The search was ongoing as of 7:50 a.m. Sunday, with additional air units being activated later in the day, according to US Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew West.

The diver is described as 5-feet-9-inches tall, about 170 pounds, wearing a black wetsuit. Anyone in the area is encouraged to call the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco command center at (415)-399-3547.

Coast Guard Station Monterey alerted Sector San Francisco to the emergency, which in turn coordinated with regional partners. Equipment activated in the search includes 65-foot dolphin helicopter aircrews, 47-foot motor lifeboat crews, a US Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter crew from Naval Air Station Lemoore, and rescue crews and equipment from Monterey County.

And also this from a public Facebook group for local divers:

[Name redacted due to forum rules], is currently lost at sea. He was diving at Fan Shell beach along 17 Miles Drive. We all surfaced and swam toward shore when he was separated from his group at 3:30 pm. We need all support, experienced divers to continue the search for him. We were not far from the shore when a large wave hit and we did not see him after. We need your help.
The coast guard is aware, helicopters, drones, and all searching. But we need help still, no divers on duty. If you can help in anyway please do not hesitate to contact 3102280093
He was wearing yellow and black fins. 8Mm dive suit. Apple Watch. 5"10 150 lbs.

For those who don't know the local conditions, typical water temperatures are 50-55F, and the news report says the diver was in a wetsuit, not a drysuit.

 

[DandyDon]

For those who don't know the local conditions, typical water temperatures are 50-55F, and the news report says the diver was in a wetsuit, not a drysuit.

He's already spent one night at sea with air temps at 40° and below.

It looks like a protected beach unless a riptide pulls a diver out into a large ocean. Miracles do happen tho.

 

[lexvil]

The prevailing currents and wind direction

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

This area is within the basic "red triangle" for prolific GWS. Just say'n.

 

[Dryglove]

Just heard about this from a friend back home, hoping they find him

 

[runsongas]

@NW Dive Dawg unless if spearfishing though, encounters while on scuba are super rare

 

[Nick_Radov]

This area is within the basic "red triangle" for prolific GWS. Just say'n.

While there are Great White Sharks in the general area they don't generally venture in that close to shore. The specific spot where this diver reportedly disappeared is very shallow and almost at the beach.

 

[Nick_Radov]

The Coast Guard has suspended their search.

Coast Guard, partners suspend search for missing diver off California

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Coast Guard and partners have suspended the search for a missing 27-year-old diver off Fanshell Beach, Sunday.

www.news.uscg.mil

Yesterday I was at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Carmel, which is a few miles south of Fanshell Beach where this incident occurred. At the time I hadn't heard about what happened. We saw a Coast Guard helicopter flying a search pattern. And the Monterey County Sherriff's Department Dive Team was in the parking lot prepared to launch their boat, but they left without entering the water.
I understand that some local volunteers are currently search along the coastline. Although there can be localized rip currents, the prevailing swells and wind at the time would tend to push someone towards land rather than taking them out to sea.
Fanshell Beach is somewhat exposed. I've been there a few times but haven't dived that site. Other local divers have recommended only diving there in very calm conditions.

 

[DandyDon]

The Coast Guard has suspended their search.

It's always sad to lose a diver, but this is the third day in 50° water, 40° air at night, and no drinking water.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

@NW Dive Dawg unless if spearfishing though, encounters while on scuba are super rare

While there are Great White Sharks in the general area they don't generally venture in that close to shore. The specific spot where this diver reportedly disappeared is very shallow and almost at the beach.

See recent story below. Scallop diver. Shallow dive. No blood in the water.

Great white takes scallop diver - Mexico

https://www.trackingsharks.com/first-fatal-shark-attack-of-2023/ First Fatal Shark Attack of 2023 The first fatal shark attack of 2023 has been reported in Mexico. Manuel Lopez was scuba diving Jan. 5 for mollusks in Tobari Bay when he was killed by a 19-foot (6m) great white shark. Lopez was...

scubaboard.com

On one of my boating forums a member (non diver) just 2 months ago was was pulling crab pots in 60ft of water up in the Northern CA / Point Arena area and what he estimated to be a 4 meter GWS literally came out of the water and grabbed his entire crab pot while he was at the rail. Scared the shite out of him.

Then on Nov 4th a 20 footer was spotted inside SF Bay. Anyway... they are out there. As an old AB diver on the North CA coast (back when there was actually a season) it was always on my mind...