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Press Release | July 26, 2024

Coast Guard rescues missing divers near Matagorda, Texas

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard rescued two divers that went missing 15 miles offshore from Matagorda, Thursday.

Sector Corpus Christi watchstanders received a notification Wednesday afternoon reporting that the divers were last seen surfacing in unfavorable weather conditions and were not seen after conditions cleared. 

Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter and HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft aircrews were launched along with a Station Port O’Connor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew to search for the divers. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Edgar Culbertson was also directed to assist with search efforts. 

The Ocean Sentry aircraft aircrew spotted a flashing light in the water while searching and vectored in the divers' location to the cutter. The divers were transported to Coast Guard Station Freeport, and were last reported to be in stable condition.

A total of approximately 1,656 square miles were searched over a period of 36 hours.

Involved in the search were: 

Coast Guard Cutter Edgar Culbertson crew

Air Station Corpus Christi HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft aircrew

Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter aircrew

Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrews

Station Port O’Connor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew

-USCG-