Diver Missing In Qld Australia - Mission Beach

[Peter69_56]

Search and rescue, waters off Mission Beach
QPS Media on Feb 16, 2016 @ 9:05pm
A search involving multiple agencies will resume at first light for a scuba diver reported missing in waters off Mission Beach.

Around 2.45pm this afternoon, police received information that a 54-year-old man had been part of a group conducting a recreational dive at a popular ship wreck site, but failed to resurface. He was last seen around 1pm.

A marine search conducted by water police and the Coastguard, and an aerial search conducted by a number of aircraft failed to locate the man.

The search was suspended a short time ago due to failing light, but is expected to amplify tomorrow morning.

There is no further information available at this time.

 

[WetPup]

I admit I am a bit confused...

This bulletin from the Queensland police states that there is a diver missing from a popular wreck off Mission Beach. I have dived Mission Beach a number of times and know of no "popular wreck". There is in fact no dive shop in Mission Beach anymore. Hasn't been for years. I suspect this may be a mistake by the police media unit, because the only "popular wreck" in North Qld is the Yongala. And that's about 4 hours drive south of Mission Beach.

Will update as more comes in, as my LDS runs the trips to Yongala.

 

[Peter69_56]

Scuba diver missing near Hinchinbrook Island

 

[WetPup]

I stand corrected. They meant what they said.

The man went missing about 20 miles north of Hinchinbrook Island.

Given the lack of dive shops in the area, this indicates that he was on a private vessel. And I know of no "popular wreck" (or any wreck for that matter) in that area. So still mildly confused.

 

[WetPup]

Further info from the Cairns Post

The 54-year-old local man was last seen at popular dive site the Lady Bowen wreck, 40km southeast of Mission Beach, about 12.30pm yesterday.

Thus my confusion - I wouldn't have said this was a Mission Beach dive. I'd have been going out from Lucinda/Cardwell.

This wreck sits between 32-35m...Not an especially complicated dive IMO, but requires you to keep a good eye on your air consumption and deco.

 

[WetPup]

More updates from Cairns Post...

Missing diver identified: The 54-year-old is the owner of Mission Beach Dunk Island Water Taxis, Steven Foster, known to most locals only as Fozzy.

Weather is good today up here, so hopefully the search is successful.

 

[Peter69_56]

More reports;

No Cookies | The Cairns Post

 

[clownfishsydney]

The last link appears to be 95% about a Pakistani man who died while snorkelling.

 

[mockney]

Is the Lady Bowen wreck a penetration dive?.

 

[Peter69_56]

The last link appears to be 95% about a Pakistani man who died while snorkelling.

Agreed

You all know the deal, when you have no information about the news item at hand, write something about a similar subject as though it is about the article. Most people read it with interest and never make comment that it adds no real value to the actual incident.