Missing Divers Found in Gulf of Mexico

Two overdue divers offshore from San Jose Island, Texas, were rescued by a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) helicopter crew Saturday afternoon.

The two San Antonio men, Dennis Garrett and Robert Holms, were diving approximately 16 miles off the shoreline of San Jose Island at approximately 10 a.m. when they became noticeably overdue, leading the captain of the dive boat Reel Excursions to contact the USCG on marine band VHF-16 after growing concerns that they were 40 minutes overdue and could not be found. 

Upon notification, Sector Corpus Christi watchstanders immediately diverted an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter, launched a response boat from Coast Guard Station Port Aransas and diverted the Coast Guard Cutters Brant and Steelhead . 

The helicopter crew located the divers 6.2 miles from their last known location, following a three hour search that included the Coast Guard assets and two additional dive vessels. A rescue swimmer was deployed and the divers were hoisted aboard the helicopter for transport to Sector Corpus Christi where they were met by EMS as a precautionary measure. A video of the lift is available here.

"Our air crew is extremely happy to find these two missing divers and bring them to safety from an unfortunate and dangerous situation," said Lt. Harry Lehman, one of the pilots on the rescue helicopter. "Credit goes to the two experienced divers who did everything in their power to be noticed and rescued, having the right equipment such as brightly colored flotation devices saved their lives. Our excellent team work with the Station Port Aransas boat crew and sector command center watch standers was instrumental to the positive outcome of this rescue."