Coast Guard Search for Missing Diver Near Andrea Doria Wreck

The Coast Guard is searching for a 64 year-old man who did not resurface while diving near the wreck of the cruise ship Andrea Doria. The unidentifed diver lost Tuesday is the eight victim of the wreck site since 2005, the USCG said.

The final resting place of the Italian liner is located at a depth of 240 feet after it collided with the Stockholm amid foggy condition in a rush to stay on schedule.

The Coast Guard advises boaters and divers to file float plans and make their intentions clear, according to spokesman Ross Ruddell said, but there’s nothing preventing qualified divers from exploring the Andrea Doria or other wrecks.

Seven people have died near the Andrea Doria in the past decade alone, and four have been hurt, the Coast Guard said.

By air and by sea, the Coast Guard has searched an area of more than 159 square nautical miles, but has so far been unsuccessful. According to a USCG release, watchstanders were notified around 1 p.m. Tuesday by the crew aboard the commercial diving boat John Jack that a diver had not surfaced.

“The primary goal of every man and woman who serves in the Coast Guard is to rescue those in need and save lives”, said Marcus Gherardi, chief of response at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. “This is why we serve”.

The John Jack’s website says it visits dozens of shipwrecks suitable for recreational divers, along with deeper sites like the Andrea Doria “that require advanced technical certification”.

Members of the Coast Guard search for a missing diver.