Coast Guard suspends search for missing swimmer in Virginia Beach, Va. 

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic
Contact: 5th District Public Affairs
Office: (757) 398-6272
After Hours: (757) 434-7712
5th District online newsroom

Coast Guard suspends search for missing swimmer in Virginia Beach, Va. 

This is a graphic of the 214 square miles of combined search patterns conducted by Coast Guard assets Aug. 10, 2019, to search for a swimmer who was reported to have entered the water but was not seen coming out in the vicinity of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Coast Guard searched for a total of 17 1/2 hours alongside the Virginia Beach Police Department, the Virginia Beach Fire Department, and the Virginia Marine Police. (U.S. Coast Guard Graphic)

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard suspended its search on Saturday afternoon for a woman who was reported to have entered the water but was not seen coming out in Virginia Beach.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads received the report of the possible missing swimmer from the Virginia Beach Police Department at approximately 3:45 a.m.

The Coast Guard launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew and fixed-wing Auxiliary air craft from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, along with a 45-foot Response BoatMedium and 29-foot Response BoatSmall from Coast Guard Station Little Creek, and searched approximately 214 square miles for a combined total of 17 ½ hours.

Crews from the Virginia Beach Police Department, Virginia Beach Fire Department, Virginia Beach Emergency Medical Services, Virginia Marine Police and Maritime Incident Response Team also assisted with the search.

“We take reports of missing swimmers very seriously," said Capt. Sam Stevens, deputy commander of Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads. "We never advise swimming alone, especially at night, due to potentially dangerous water conditions.”

The Coast Guard’s search is suspended, pending the development of new information.

 

-USCG-