Archive image: An MH-65E Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami lands on the flight deck of the medium-endurance cutter USCGC Mohawk (WMEC 913) May 19, 2026.
The Mohawk’s crew trained in flight deck operations and completed a series of touch-and-go landings on their way to participate in Sail 250 events in New Orleans.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ensign Riley Thorburn.
MIAMI — A Coast Guard Station Islamorada boat crew conducted the rescue of an overdue diver in the Florida Keys after he was reported missing from a dive vessel 5 nautical miles off John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. Saturday, July 11, 2026.
The Coast Guard Station Islamorada Response Boat-Medium (RB-M) crew located the diver within the initial search and rescue (SAR) area and transported him to emergency medical services (EMS) personnel at Garden Cove Marina in stable condition.
Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received a report from the crew of the dive vessel Island Hopper at approximately 11:45 a.m., that a 45-year-old male had failed to return to the surface approximately 15 minutes after his scheduled resurfacing time.
Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB) and directed the launch of a Station Islamorada boat crew to search. A Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65E Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission air and surface crews also responded.
“The diver was successfully located because he was equipped with a delayed surface marker buoy, which enabled us to identify his position approximately one-quarter mile away,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Damian Burnham, a U.S. Coast Guard Station Islamorada RB-M boat crew member. “This incident underscores the importance of carrying a DSMB while scuba diving, as it significantly enhances a diver’s visibility at the surface and can greatly improve the speed and effectiveness of locating a diver.”
The Coast Guard encourages divers to carry emergency signaling equipment, remain in communication with their vessel, and ensure someone ashore is aware of their dive plan before getting underway.
–USCG–
For more Hlcopters Magazine breaking news, stories, images and videos visit hlcopters.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
