CARDWELL, Australia (5 Feb 2008) — A search is underway for a diver who went missing while spearfishing at Otter Reef, east of Cardwell in North Queensland. Authorities declined to identify the 21-year-old diver, who failed to resurface while diving to retrieve a spear. Police said the victim was diving with a friend off a boat at Otter Reef east of Cardwell. The friend attempted a rescue but could not find the missing diver. The search is covering an area of about 80 square nautical miles. Police said searching for someone missing in the ocean is difficult. "We're disappointed, not surprised. It is difficult in that sort of environment," said Sergeant Andrew Ibell from the Cairns water police. "The missing person was last seen under water and it's not always the case that the person will be found exactly where he was last seen, so that's why we'll send the divers back out again to ... expand on the area that they were able to achieve yesterday." © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK | 
