Overview
- A Mayday broadcast over VHF Channel 16 prompted a multi-agency search that led to the diver’s recovery from about 55 feet of water roughly 6 to 7 miles north-northeast of Fort Pierce Inlet.
- Civilian boaters who were friends of the missing diver joined the coordinated effort and their divers located the body about five hours after the distress call on Friday.
- The diver was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce while the sheriff’s office is withholding the victim’s identity pending family notification.
- Florida Fish and Wildlife deployed four vessels and provided aerial support alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit during the search.
- Local dive professionals noted Fort Pierce waters are best for experienced divers and cautioned against solo dives as investigators work to establish the diver’s cause of death and the incident’s full circumstances.