Search underway for missing diver at Long Beach port, fire officials say
Long Beach Fire officials say the man, an off-duty Los Angeles firefighter, was last seen Wednesday while taking part in lobster diving with friends.
Authorities are searching for an off-duty firefighter who went missing Wednesday while diving off the Port of Long Beach, according to fire officials.
Fire officials say the off-duty firefighter was taking part in recreational diving around 9 p.m. with a group of friends near Pier J.
He was reported missing just after 10 p.m. when he didn't emerge from the water, according to fire officials.
Within minutes the first rescue diver was in the water looking for him, fire officials said. The Los Angeles Fire Department, the Coast Guard, and other emergency personnel have since responded to help in the search for him.
But despite efforts by roughly 24 rescue divers over the last 12 hours, he has not been located.
"The search is very complex," LBFD Chief Dennis Buchanan said during a press conference at Fire Station 6 Thursday afternoon. "We needed a coordinated effort between multiple public safety departments."
While his identity hasn't been released, fire officials said the missing diver was an LAFD firefighter in his late 20s. He has been with the Los Angeles City Fire Department for six years, they added.
"Our focus remains on a safe search and rescue effort," LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of our missing firefighter."
This story was updated with more information from the Long Beach Fire Department and Los Angeles Fire Department.
We need your support.
Subcribe to the Watchdog today.
The Long Beach Watchdog is owned by journalists, and paid for by readers like you. If independent, local reporting like the story you just read is important to you, support our work by becoming a subscriber.
