Chopper hunting missing diver

2005-09-23 17:54

Cape Town - A diver missing in Hout Bay had not been found by late Friday afternoon despite an intensive search launched overnight.

National Sea Rescue Institute spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the search was still on the go and three boats and a helicopter were being deployed.

The NSRI in Hout Bay received a call about 19:30 on Thursday after Cape Town Port Control saw red distress flares.

The Hout Bay NSRI launched its two boats and the Kommetjie and Table Bay stations also launched boats to help in the search.

Police and metro rescue divers were deployed to help and two private boats joined in.

Lambinon said: "On arrival a search commenced for a missing diver who was reported to be in full dive-gear including a buoyancy vest and wet-suit.

"Sea conditions were one to two metre, short choppy swells, and 10-knot southwesterly winds.

Were doing night-dive course

"The search grid was plotted by the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre and included a search along the coast taking into account natural drift currents, wind speed and wind direction."

Lambinon said 10 people were taking part in an advanced night-dive course at Vulcan Rock, off the Hout Bay coast.

The divers went into the water, but two decided to abort the dive because of the choppy seas.

"When they tried to board the boat again, one drifted away and was soon missing. The missing diver's identity has not yet been released.

During the night, rescue teams were rotated and the search continued early on Friday morning with the helicopter joining about 06:00.

- SAPA