Emergency response teams have been working since December 5, 2024, to locate a missing diver in the Port of Long Beach. The diver, identified as a 28-year-old off-duty firefighter from the Los Angeles City Fire Department, went missing while enjoying a recreational dive with friends. He was not on duty at the time of the incident.
The firefighter, along with two other individuals, was free diving—a practice where divers swim and dive without the use of scuba gear, relying solely on holding their breath. After the dive, two of the men surfaced, but the third remained missing. At 9:55 p.m. on Wednesday, the group called for help, prompting a swift response from the Long Beach Fire Department, which deployed divers and marine resources by 10:17 p.m.
Long Beach Fire spokesperson Brian Fisk said, “We presume they were fishing, but we don’t know the exact purpose of the dive. We are continuing to search and expanding the grid search area.”
Search efforts near Pier J have involved multiple agencies, including divers from Long Beach, L.A. City, and County fire departments, along with personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, Long Beach Police, and Los Angeles Port Police.
Transition to Recovery Operation
After over 19 hours of continuous search efforts, the Los Angeles Fire Department announced that the mission had been changed from a search-and-rescue operation to a recovery effort. The decision was made due to the diminishing visibility and the extended time since the diver was last seen, which made survival increasingly unlikely.
The Long Beach Police Department has taken over control of the operation while continuing to work in coordination with the Long Beach and Los Angeles City Fire Departments. Recovery efforts will continue with the use of advanced technologies, including sonar, to locate and recover the diver.
About the Missing Firefighter
Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley confirmed that the missing firefighter was off-duty at the time of the incident and was diving recreationally with friends on his day off. The firefighter, who has been with the department for six years, is currently stationed at an active fire station in Los Angeles.
To assist in the recovery, the Los Angeles Port Police have deployed side-scan sonar, a specialized technology used to detect objects on the seafloor. This advanced equipment, as noted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will aid in locating the diver as search efforts continue.
The search and recovery operation remains ongoing as authorities work tirelessly to bring closure to this tragic situation.
