A free diver  in his 50s was found in waters off Kaneohe Bay this afternoon, the victim of an apparent drowning.

Firefighters and the Navy were called around 1:50 p.m. when two people who had been diving with the victim reported that he had not returned to their boat, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Terry Seelig.

The HFD helicopter spotted the body about 3:10 p.m. floating in waters about a quarter mile off of the Kaneohe side of Kapapa Island, Seelig said.

The victim was taken to Heeia Kea Boat Harbor, where paramedics pronounced him dead at 3:48 p.m., said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Emergency Services Department.

The Navy’s Waterfront Operations from the Marine base and the Coast Guard also helped in the search.