Officials investigate case of missing free diver off Fort Pierce Inlet
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A West Palm Beach man free diving Sunday about 13 miles southeast of the Fort Pierce Inlet didn’t resurface, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office stated on social media.
The man, free diving in the area of the Halsey shipwreck, didn’t resurface on his last known dive. The man's name was not immediately released.
He wore a green wetsuit with an orange stripe on the hood, weight belt with yellow weights and black carbon fiber fins.
The sheriff’s office stated the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading the investigation. The sheriff’s office and U.S. Coast Guard are helping in the investigation.
According to uboat.net, the Halsey, a 7,088-ton steam tanker, was attacked May 6, 1942, by U-333, a German submarine, and sunk. Two torpedoes struck the vessel. The entire crew – eight officers and 24 others – abandoned ship in lifeboats and survived.
The wreck is in about 80 feet of water, and is a well-known dive spot for amberjacks and grouper. The hull is broken apart in about three pieces.
No other information was immediately available.
TCPalm staff writer Ed Killer contributed to this report
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Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Free diver doesn't resurface after weekend dive off Fort Pierce Inlet
