Diver missing - Bantry Bay

Luke van Riet, NSRI Bakoven deputy station commander, said:At 11h19 on Sunday the 22nd of October, NSRI Bakoven duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following reports of a diver missing following a dive with his brother at Bantry Bay.It appears that while the brothers were exiting the water after a dive in rough sea conditions the missing mans brother was able to get out of the surf onto rocks but his brother, a 32 year old male from Grassy Park, went missing and bystanders raised the alarm.The sea rescue craft Rotarian Schipper, nearby at Clifton Beach on a routine training operation at the time, immediately diverted to respond to the scene and a search operation commenced.NSRI Bakoven rescue swimmers, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services dive unit, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad, Life Healthcare response paramedics, CoCT Law Enforcement, the SA Police Services and a Police Dive Unit responded.An extensive search revealed no sign of the missing man and the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter responded to assist in the search but despite the extensive sea, air and shoreline search operation no sign of the man has been found and a Police dive unit will continue with an ongoing search operation.Family are being assisted by Police and Police have opened an investigation.