NEAH BAY — The Coast Guard was searching Tuesday afternoon for a missing diver off Duncan Rock near Cape Flattery.
Lynn Flaherty, 61, an experienced diver who has taken 1,200 dives, was reported missing at 11:25 a.m. Tuesday, said Petty Officer Levi Read, Coast Guard spokesman.
She was wearing a dry suit when she was last seen, Read said.
Flaherty started the dive with her husband in 85 to 100 feet of water. They were scheduled to resurface together at about 11:15 a.m., Read said.
She did not surface as scheduled, and her husband called for assistance at 11:25 a.m., he said.
The crew of a 29-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station Neah Bay began the search at 11:35 a.m.
Seas were calm, and there was 10 miles of visibility.
At 4 p.m., three crews were actively searching for Flaherty — the response boat, a 47-foot motor life boat and a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles.
The water temperature in the area was 57 degrees, and the air temperature was 60 degrees.
“The dry suit will definitely help,” Read said, but noted that survivability in the cold waters is variable.
A dive team from Kitsap County is expected to arrive in the area to assist in the search while Coast Guard crews seek Flaherty on the surface, he said.
The Coast Guard did not know where Flaherty is from.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Astoria, Ore., and the Coast Guard cutter Swordfish were en route Tuesday afternoon to assist in the search.
A Canadian Coast Guard helicopter was standing by if needed.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
