Diver Missing, Jacksonville FL

[Fishhy]

Last known coordinates:
N 30 28.796'
W 80 28.228'

Family asking available boaters to assist.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man is missing after going diving off the coast of Mayport on Saturday.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, three people went diving about 46 miles off Mayport, but only two came back up.

The third person is still missing, and the Coast Guard has a 45-foot response boat searching from Mayport and has called in a helicopter from Savannah to help.

The Navy and Florida wildlife personnel are also searching.

The man’s family asked that his name not be released yet, but they described him as a 36-year-old white male, about 6 feet, 2 inches tall with a shaved head who was last seen wearing a black wetsuit.
Search underway for missing diver off coast of Mayport

 

[Johnoly]

@100days-a-year ,,,Tony, aren't those numbers near "Tournament Reef" about 95ft?
Lots of posts today of divers getting on the Red Snapper opening weekend.
Hope they find the diver safe.

 

[Jafo19D]

My second cousin referred to him by his first name so I think she knows him.

 

[100days-a-year]

@100days-a-year ,,,Tony, aren't those numbers near "Tournament Reef" about 95ft?
Lots of posts today of divers getting on the Red Snapper opening weekend.
Hope they find the diver safe.

Offshore 20 miles from there, lobster area but also ARS.
Hits close to home as he is very close with a lot of friends.
Hopefully he's found soon.

 

[DandyDon]

Search for missing diver, father of 3 continues off the coast of Mayport

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE 9:00 a.m.:

The search continues Sunday morning for Jacksonville native, Timmy Obi, who friends and family say is a loving husband, and father of three young boys.

The USCG searched through the night Saturday. Now multiple agencies have joined them once again Sunday morning to continue their efforts in finding Obi.


A coast guard aircraft started a wide-area search Sunday morning, according to Mark Vlaun, the Captian of USCG of the Port of Jacksonville.

Action News Jax spoke with Obi’s son’s teacher who said Timmy is an easy-going, active person.

Neighbors say the family is full of joy.

One neighbor said, “They are very active and always out in the street, and in the yard, and having fun.”

Obi’s brother, Ryan shared his last known coordinates on Facebook Saturday, N 30º28.796′ -- W 80º28.228′ and asked if anyone had a boat that could go offshore to help search.

Sunday morning he updated his post, sharing that the USCG Jacksonville sent out a search grid. Below is what Ryan Obi shared on social media Sunday morning:

The currents are approx 2 mph S to N. USCG is advising to search from furthest northern point working to the South.

30 50.458W

081 13.392W

30 50.458W

080 51.015W

30 31.189N

80 51.098W

30 31.333N

81 13.392W

*NOTE: Action News Jax is working to confirm this search grid with USCG.

Agencies assisting with the search include Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, The US Navy, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, CGC TARPON, CG Air Station Savannah, and CG STA Mayport, according to Vlaun.

Any boaters who would like to help with the search should contact the USCG on Channel 16 and listen to marine broadcasts for updates

 

[acteg]

Any updates?

 

[100days-a-year]

Sad day today.
Coast Guard, partner agencies suspend search for missing diver off Mayport

 

[Biotech Diver]

The report said the recovered gear was consistent with a sea predator attack, aka, a shark. From reading the above posts I’m assuming he and the others were spear fishing?

 

[DandyDon]

I’m assuming he and the others were spear fishing?

Some news stories did say that, yes, fairly deep.

Excerpting from U.S. Coast Guard continues search for Timothy Obi through the night and into Tuesday morning

According to the USCG, Obi and two other divers were just coming up from a 90 to 120-foot dive. The three made a safety stop at 15 feet, then the other two continued up to the surface. We’re told they last saw him at 5 feet, no one ever saw Obi break the surface.

And from USCG: Search suspended, diver’s gear found with suspected encounter with a marine predator

The statement also said a volunteer boat found damaged diving gear around 1 p.m. Tuesday just 250 yards from Obi’s original dive location. The family did confirm the gear belonged to Mr. Obi’s.

The USCG said, “The location and condition of the gear are consistent with a suspected encounter with a marine predator.”

 

[100days-a-year]

Apparently the Uscg may have misunderstood the crew that found Timmy's gear. One of which is a marine biologist.