Coast Guard, HFD Continue Search for Missing Free Diver

The search for a missing 55-year-old free diver off the coast of North Kohala continued Friday.

United States Coast Guard crews, along with the Hawai’i County Fire Department, have completed 14 sorties, covering a total of 1,303 square miles.

The diver, who was identified as Loren “Jamie” Salis, was reported missing to Watchstanders at 2:40 a.m. Thursday. Two friends reported that they had last seen the man at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Crews from the Coast Guard Dolphin and Ahi were dispatched early Thursday morning and remain on scene, along with HFD diver teams, rescue boats, and helicopter crews.

On Thursday, the Dolphin crew located a submerged dive light, but were unable to determine if the diver was in the area of the light when it was seen.

Anyone with information that could help locate Salis should contact the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center at (808) 842-2600.