Share

Diver reported missing near Andrea Doria wreck

Loomis Dean-The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images Italian liner Andrea Doria sinking in Atlantic after collision w. Swedish ship “Stockholm“.

Advertisement

A 64-year-old diver who went missing while diving near the Andrea Doria wreck off the Massachusetts coast is presumed dead and the Coast Guard has suspended its search.

By air and by sea, the Coast Guard has searched an area of more than 159 square nautical miles, but has so far been unsuccessful.

A schedule on the John Jack Seagoing Adventures website lists the Andrea Doria wreckage as the destination of this week’s travels. “In addition to health hazards, here in New England, water temperatures are especially cold and there are strong currents, especially around our shores and islands”.

The Coast Guard advises boaters and divers to file float plans and make their intentions clear, according to spokesman Ross Ruddell said, but there’s nothing preventing qualified divers from exploring the Andrea Doria or other wrecks. The diver’s name was not immediately released. The Coast Guard was alerted about the missing man at around 1:00 Tuesday afternoon. “Diving is an inherently unsafe activity”, said Tim Carton, a First Coast Guard District search and rescue specialist. The unidentifed diver lost Tuesday is the eight victim of the wreck site since 2005, the USCG said.

Advertisement

The wreckage of the Andrea Doria, as seen in 1956. The John Jack is homeported in New Jersey.

A painting of the decaying Andrea Doria circa 2005 with her superstructure gone and hull broken after 50 years of submersion in swift North Atlantic currents