The body of a missing boater was found in waters off the Palos Verdes Peninsula on Saturday, the day after he was last reported to have been free diving in the area, officials said.
The discovery was made around 12:30 p.m. about a mile from where the boat was anchored, according to a Coast Guard spokesperson. The body matched the description of the missing man, but was transported by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s dive team to the coroner’s office for positive identification.
The sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau and the county Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division, in later statements on Twitter, confirmed the body was that of the diver whose disappearance had prompted the search. His name was not immediately released.
The operation first began after the Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach was notified of an unmanned anchored vessel 500 yards off the coast around 9 p.m. Friday.
The boater was last reported to have been free diving in the area and wearing a wet suit, the Coast Guard said. His personal effects were left onboard the vessel.
The county Lifeguard Division temporarily suspended search efforts around 11:15 p.m. Friday, but the Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal, an 87-foot patrol boat, searched the area throughout the night. The Sheriff’s Department also conducted dive operations.
At daybreak on Saturday, a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew canvassed the area, and video showed members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division diving amidst kelp beds during their efforts.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Coast Guard Command Center in San Pedro at 310-521-3805.