Update:
The Victoria Rescue Co-ordination Centre confirms the air and water search for a missing diver off Race Rocks was called off Monday night and the case has been handed over to the police. The diver was not found.
Previous story:
The search for a missing 20-year-old diver near Race Rocks off southern Vancouver Island continued Monday.
The diver, who had been separated from his buddy, was reported missing just before noon on Sunday, triggering a massive air and water search.
Race Rocks is a marine ecological reserve at the east entrance of the Juan de Fuca Strait.
Two men were returning to the surface following a dive Sunday when they experienced trouble and were separated.
“The two divers tried to come up together,” said Capt. Colin Henthorne of the Victoria Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
“Both got into difficulty. One surfaced and the second person disappeared.”
Crew on the dive boat with them called the coast guard for assistance.
“We have been searching ever since,” said Henthorne on Monday.
Searching for the man was a Buffalo fixed-wing plane, Cormorant helicopter, a surface coast guard 47-foot boat from Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island, the naval vessel HMCS Whitehorse and three Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR) vessels, from the Sooke, Oak Bay and Victoria stations.
The volunteers searched until midnight Sunday and were back in the water at dawn on Monday.
Race Rocks ecological reserve includes three square kilometres of ocean and reefs and extensive marine life.
The area is known for its landmark lighthouse.
