PCG: Personnel of Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Mabini is still searching for the Nauru National scuba diver who went missing during a scuba diving activity at the vicinity waters off Barangay Balanoy, Mabini, Batangas last Wednesday, 02 May.

Information received from a certain Ms Lady Cabrera, personnel of Aquaventure Dive Resort diclosed that at 03:45 PM of the same date, Mr Daniel Borgaud, a French national dive instructor together with the victim, Mr Andre Kilbride, a student diver departed from the said resort and proceeded at Dive 7000 and Cathedral to conduct Scuba Deep Water Diving at approximately 100 meters underwater.

Investigation revealed that during the scuba diving venture, Mr Kilbride noticed that his wing type Bouyance Compensator Device was detached from the backplate which caused him to ascend uncontrollably. His dive instructor tried to help him and noticed that Mr. Kilbride’s oxygen was already empty.

Immediately, he gave his 25% travel gas to his student and tried to ascend quickly but the victim was ascending slowly. He waited for his student for about 5 minutes at 21 meters below the surface, but the student was unable to surface due to strong current.

At 07:00 AM of May 3, CGSS Mabini together with Special Operating Unit- Southern Tagalog proceeded at the said vicinity and conducted underwater search and rescue operations. At 05:00PM, the search and rescue operations was terminated due to unfavorable sea conditions and strong current and resumed the following day.

The victim is still missing up to this date while SAR operations is still ongoing.