Coast Guard Searching For Missing Diver In The Bahamas

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Crews are searching for a 63-year-old man who never resurfaced after diving into the waters of the Bahamas during a commercial shark diving venture.

John E. Petty, according to the Coast Guard, went missing in the vicinity of West End, Bahamas Sunday night. An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was issued.

Coast Guard 7th District command center watchstanders were contacted by the captain on the commercial dive vessel, Shear Water, late Sunday night stating that Petty went shark diving with eight others and he never resurfaced.

The captain told Coast Guard that Petty went shark diving with eight others and never resurfaced.

Multiple air and sea assets, including the Coast Guard Cutter Dolphin from Miami, the Coast Guard Air Station Miami Ocean Sentry aircraft and the Coast Guard Air Station Miami Dolphin rescue helicopter, have been searching since the call came in, according to the Coast Guard.

Petty, from Longview, Texas, was last seen 20 nautical miles northwest of West End, Bahamas by one of the divers in the group.