UPDATE: The search for missing diver, David Byles, has been called off.

From RCIPS Tue, Jan 21, 2014 at 12:17 PM

Search for diver now classed as ‘search and recovery’

The officer leading the search for missing diver David Byles confirms that the operation has now moved into a ‘search and recovery’ phase.

“We are now in our third day of searching”, said Inspector Ian Yearwood. “It’s clear to everyone involved that it’s now extremely unlikely that Mr. Byles will be found alive. We have shared our concerns with his wife and we continue to keep her fully updated as to the status of the search and of any developments.”

Twenty-eight people are involved in the search today. The 13 divers and 15 police personnel continue to search the Barracuda Wall area.

We anticipate that the search will continue throughout the day and we will provide a further media update later.

From RCIPS Mon Jan 202014 at 4:14 PM

Search for diver – clothing recovered – search to resume Tuesday.

Divers involved in the search for 57-year-old David Byles, who was reported missing during a dive off Seven Mile Beach yesterday, have recovered an item of his clothing from the sea.

The item was located by police and volunteer divers around 1.20pm today, approximately 135 feet off the Barracuda Wall.

The search has been stood down for the day and will resume on Tuesday morning at 8.00am. Inspector Ian Yearwood is appealing for specialist divers, those who are experienced in depths of at least 135 feet, to join the search tomorrow. Anyone who is available, and has the requisite diving experience, is asked to contact him on 649-7803 or 526-3159.

Latest update from RCIPS

Search for diver – equipment recovered

Divers involved in the search for 57-year-old David Byles, who was reported missing during a dive off Seven Mile Beach yesterday, have recovered his BCD and tank from the sea.

The items were located  by police and volunteer divers at approximately 10.10am this morning, around 110 feet off the Barracuda Wall.

The search for Mr. Byles continues and Inspector Ian Yearwood is calling on any boat owners or divers who can assist in the search this afternoon to contact him on the following numbers – 649-7803 or 526-3159.

Update from RCIPS Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 9:37 AM

Air, sea and land search continues for missing diver

The search for a diver who was reported missing off Seven Mile Beach yesterday has resumed.

RCIPS police divers, Marine, Air and Operational Support Units, DOE and port security are involved in the air, sea and land search today.

Several members of the public have also volunteered to assist and the officer in charge, Inspector Ian Yearwood, is currently working with them to ensure that all search activity is coordinated and under the direction of the RCIPS.

Around 10.20am yesterday, Sunday 19 January, David Byles (57) from Pine Hurst, North Carolina, was diving with his wife as part of an organised boat dive at the Barracuda Wall, off Seven Mile Beach. They both surfaced and began swimming towards the Sunset Divers boat, which was approximately 100 yards away. On reaching the boat it was discovered that Mr. Byles had disappeared from view. A search of the immediate area by the boat crew failed to trace him and a police operation was launched.

The search continues today and further updates will be provided in due course. Any boat owners / divers who wish to assist in the search must make contact with the Marine Unit on 649-7803 or Inspector Yearwood on 526-3159.

UPDATE From RCIPS Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 4:54 PM 

At around 10:20 this morning 911 received a call from a local dive company that one of their divers were missing.

A 57 year old male visiting from the United States apparently came to the surface with his dive buddy but did not make it back to the boat. The boat captain and crew commenced searching the area to locate him but were unsuccessful. They reported the matter to authorities.

A search and rescue effort was launched involving Marine Unit, the police helicopter, dive vessels and officers on shore. However the diver has not yet been located.

Sergeant Richard Scott of the Marine Unit said efforts will be continue at 7:00 am tomorrow if they are not successful this afternoon. Anyone who can assist with vessels or diving can contact him at 9497710 or 3258092 tomorrow morning if they wish to assist in the coordinated search.

From RCIPS Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 12:24 PM

RCIPS Marine Unit, Air Support, Uniform officers and a number of dive vessels are searching for a male diver that went missing whilst on an offshore dive in the Seven mile Beach area late this morning.