LONG BEACH (CNS) – The search for a diver who was reported missing in the Port of Long Beach has now become a recovery effort, authorities announced Friday.
The diver, who was identified only as a 28-year-old man and an off- duty Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter, was reported missing at around 9:45 p.m. Wednesday near the 1200 block of Pier F Avenue, according to the LAFD and reports from the scene. He was last seen near Pier J and 1600 S. Harbor Scenic Way.
“Regional public safety agencies are on scene in Unified Command working an incident in which we received reports regarding a missing diver in the Port of Long Beach,” the LAFD said in a statement Thursday confirming the man was an off-duty firefighter.
Authorities said that the firefighter was one of four men on a private boat near Pier F Wednesday night were freediving, which is a type of diving that doesn’t require scuba gear.
At a press conference on Wednesday, LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley said the missing firefighter had been with the department for six years.
“As in-water operations continued tirelessly for more than 19 hours, the survivability profile of the diver and decreased visibility made it difficult to sustain prolonged search operations. Based on these factors and the extended time since the diver was last seen, the decision was made Thursday evening by Unified Command to transition from a search and rescue mission to a recovery operation,” reads a statement the LAFD posted on its website on Thursday.
Involved in the search effort were personnel from the LAFD, the Long Beach Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Los Angeles Port Police Department and the Long Beach Police Department.
“Search operations will continue in and around the area where the diver was last seen,” the LAFD statement said. “The focus of the mission continues on the search for the missing man, and the safety and support of those still actively searching for him. We kindly ask for the public’s patience and understanding as we work to confirm additional information.”
At least two dozen personnel were in the water around midday Thursday conducting the search, ABC 7 reported.
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