Body of missing free diver recovered near Turtle Bay

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US Coast Guard helicopterHONOLULU — The Coast Guard has recovered the body of a missing free diver approximately 10 miles offshore of Turtle Bay.

Nicholas Spotkaeff was located by a good Samaritan who was boating offshore.

The good Samaritan contacted local authorities and a Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew was diverted to the scene.

The body was was recovered and transported back to Haleiwa Harbor where local emergency medical personnel were waiting.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members during this extremely difficult time,” said Capt. Shannon Gilreath, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu commanding officer. “Our gratitude goes out to all those involved in the search who helped bring it to closure.”

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received a report from crewmembers at Ocean Safety regarding the missing 56-year-old male free diver who was last seen swimming with his son in the vicinity of Ka’ena Point, Saturday.

The son lost sight of his father when he was on shore and the father was approximately 100 yards north of Ka’ena Point.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, the crew of the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake, homeported here, a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew from Coast Guard Station Honolulu and crews from Ocean Safety and the Hawaii Fire Department searched for the man.

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