Diver Missing Off Famous Shipwreck by Nantucket

The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a man who went missing Tuesday after he dove for a shipwreck off the coast of Nantucket, Mass.

The 64-year-old man was diving on the dangerous Andrea Doria wreck, which lies under 240 ft. (73 m) of water and has seen seven deaths since 2005, the Coast Guard said in a statement. The man was last seen Tuesday underwater by a fellow diver, but he did not surface from the dive. The Coast Guard searched for 30 hours over 350 nautical miles before it decided to call off the search Wednesday night.

“The primary goal of every man and woman who serves in the Coast Guard is to rescue those in need and save lives,” said Marcus Gherardi, chief of response at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. “This is why we serve. It is extremely disheartening anytime we are unable to accomplish this goal.”

The Coast Guard ended its statement with a warning to other divers and swimmers: “The ocean is unforgiving.”