Coast Guard suspends search for missing diver off Cape Flattery

CAPE FLATTERY, Wash. — The Coast Guard on Wednesday night suspended the active search for a female diver who went missing off Duncan Rock near Cape Flattery on Tuesday.

The Coast Guard called a suspension to operations at about 5:30 p.m., after crews aboard boats and helicopters conducted 24 searches over more than 30 hours.

Crews searched more than 1,200 trackline miles  and 290 square miles during search efforts, the Coast Guard said.

Aircrew personnel from the Canadian Coast Guard also assisted in the search.

“The decision to suspend a search is extremely difficult and our thoughts are with the missing person and her family at this time,” said Michael D. McKiernan, command duty officer Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound.

The search began at about 11:25 a.m. Tuesday for 61-year-old Lynn Flaherty after she was reported missing off Duncan Rock. She was diving with her husband and they were scheduled to resurface together.

Flaherty is an experienced diver who was wearing a dry suit and is equipped with a personal locator beacon and a radio.