Body of Missing Free Diver Recovered from Hull Bay

Hull Bay beach on the north side of St. Thomas, where the body of a free diver was recovered on Monday after he went missing on Sunday. (Source photo by Bethaney Lee)

The body of a lone free diver was recovered Monday morning after an overnight search of the waters off Hull Bay on St. Thomas, the Coast Guard reported.

The 39-year-old restaurant worker reportedly went spearfishing by himself at 10 a.m. Sunday from Hull Bay beach, where V.I. Police found his vehicle and belongings, the Coast Guard said in a news release. His name has not been released pending notification of his next of kin.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Juan were first alerted that the man was missing when they received a call from a 911 emergency operator who initially reported the incident at approximately 9 p.m. Sunday, according to the release.

The diver’s body was recovered Monday morning by the crew of a St. Thomas Rescue vessel near Hull Bay following an overnight search that included Coast Guard air and surface units, according to the news release.

“Our most heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends and loved ones of this young man and pray they find strength during this most difficult time,” said Cmdr. Beau Powers, Sector San Juan chief of response. “I’d like to extend my appreciation for the cooperation received from the community and friends who volunteered and contributed information important to this search and helped establish contact with the family.”

Coast Guard assets involved in the search were:

  • MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen
  • Coast Guard Boat Forces St. Thomas 33-foot Special Purpose Craft – Law Enforcement
  • Coast Guard Cutter Reef Shark

Rescue units from the V.I. Police Department and St. Thomas Rescue also responded and were actively involved in the search, according to the release.