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The Coast Guard and Hawaii County Fire Department suspended its search Saturday for 69-year-old Diana Wolking who was last seen diving near Puako Beach on the Big Island.
In a news release, Capt. Shannon Gilreath, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu commanding officer, said, “To suspend an active search and rescue case without definitive resolution is one of the most difficult decisions to make.”
“We saturated the area in attempt to locate Ms. Wolking, but pending further developments, we have decided to suspend the active search. Our prayers go out to her loved ones,” she said.
Officials presumed Wolking was swept out to sea while diving.
Coast Guard and fire rescue searched approximately 3,000 square miles for Wolking who was last seen entering the water at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday wearing a black rash guard, black-and-white bikini bottom, scuba tank and fins.
After more than an hour, Wolking’s truck was still parked at the beach. Witnesses said they did not see any signs of her in the water or near the beach.
The Coast Guard deployed its MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter, cutter Kittiwake and HC-130 Hercules airplane in the search. A helicopter and rescue crews from the county fire department also assisted.
Oh geez. This is sad. That’s a beautiful place to dive. The reefs and swim-throughs are great but you just NEVER dive without a buddy.
Safety first . Never go diving without a friend. Even if it is a happy and gay friend.
Couldn’t even locate his air tanks.
Every scuba diving equipment should be chipped with a GPS. We have the technology and we should be using it to save time.
And tanks should be painted so that a infrared detector could find it.