Search and Rescue - Scubaboard Staff Member - Northernone - Missing in Cozumel

[Pedro Burrito]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

We are opening up this in A&I now. Please read the special rules.

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[Sloeber]

Cameron entered the water at 2:30pm yesterday with his mother directly in front of Puerto Abrigo harbor. Several minutes into the dive he parted ways with his mother, as planned. This was at 70ft. They normally separate for 5-10 minutes while Cameron drops down to 120-150ft, then he rejoins the mother. They never rejoined.

He was diving sidemount with 2- AL80's at 21% and 5mm of neoprene. He did not have a PLB.

The current is extremely strong, even by northside standards, estimated to 6 knots at times. The slower dive boats have reported having some trouble making headway into the current, so any underwater scooter is likely to not be to useful, either.

We have 2 private planes ready to launch within minutes. They may already but up in the air.

Mexican Search and Rescue has expanded their search area into Puerto Morelas, but as of now they have not launched any air support. The information we are being provided is they do not have any pilots. This is troubling and confusing, but I digress.

I'm positive Cameron made it to the surface. I fully believe he is waiting for us to find him. We need air support assistance. If you know anyone from Cancun, Playa, or Cozumel with private planes please ask for assistance. Even boats will help. You can call me directly in Mexico 987-111-9138 for the most up to date information. Happy to send along flight charts and navigational charts of the search area to any pilots.

 

[cicopo]

Thanks Henry. I appreciate having the details. That current could really influence how large a search area will need covering.

 

[Norwegian Cave Diver]

I don’t know Cameron, but he has lots of things in his favor... young healthy lots of experience diving and lots of experience in diving in these conditions. As a fellow Sidemount diver I know his tanks will become bouyant when he has depleted them enough. I would expect he is floating and waiting for someone to spot him. Today is the day a big effort needs to happen. Every dive shop should be out looking.

 

[aviator8]

Isn’t it kind of troubling that for such a popular diving destination that it is taking so long for SAR air support? I would have thought something would be up yesterday and at a minimum at first light. A night search wouldn’t even be a bad idea if he dives with any kind of torch and skies are clear.

 

[flyboy08]

Wish I was there! I would grab one of those airplanes and start a grid search! Lack of pilots is troubling.

 

[aviator8]

Wish I was there! I would grab one of those airplanes and start a grid search! Lack of pilots is troubling.

Same here. I haven’t flown in years but an hour checkout and I’d hop in and start looking.

 

[gopbroek]

Unfortunately the area around and to the north of Cozumel have some of the heaviest currents in the caribbean. Hopefully air assets have been deployed. A 3 Knot current moves more than 80 miles a day.
My prayers are with you Cameron

 

[aviator8]

that would place him about 20 miles north of Cancun and roughly 30 miles offshore in a few hours. That's pretty far out. I hope he is staying calm and keeping his head high.

 

[Yellowdog]

I wonder if he was wearing a wetsuit? In my experience many of the local DM's do not. If one were on the surface in 80*+- water how long before hyperthermia would become an issue? Wishing for a positive outcome.