Rescue off Sarasota Pass - Florida

[DandyDon]

From: Coast Guard finds, rescues missing diver off Sarasota Pass

COQUINA KEY, Fla. - The Coast Guard rescued a diver separated from his group off Sarasota Pass Saturday night.

A 43-year-old Sarasota man was scuba diving with friends when he became separated from the group. The diver's friends contacted the Coast Guard for help around 7:30 p.m.

The Coast Guard dispatched a boatcrew from Cortz and an HH-60 Jawhawk helicopter crew from Clearwarter. The helicopter crew spotted the man around 8 p.m. They lowered a rescue swimmer to stay with the diver until the boatcrew arrived.

The group went below their boat to release the anchor and surfaced the boat was moving, according to officials. Two of the divers made it to the boat, but the third decided to wait. When his friends returned, they couldn't find him because it was dark.

"While operating a private boat, it is important to make sure someone knowledgeable of boat procedures and dive safety stays topside to tend to the boat," said Jason Morris, Sector St. Petersburg search and rescue controller.

The diver was treated by Manatee County Fire and Rescue EMS at the Conquina Key boat ramp.

Read more: Coast Guard finds, rescues missing diver off Sarasota Pass

 

[debajo agua]

Seems like I read a lot of articles, where the U.S. Coast Guard saved the day. A sincere "thank you".