Scuba Diver Still Missing Off Ventura

As search crews ran out of daylight Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard temporarily called off its search for an Orange County man who disappeared Sunday while scuba diving in the waters off Ventura.

Authorities plan to resume the search this morning.

Joo Whan Hong, 45, of Irvine was separated from a recreational diving group that was visiting Anacapa Island, located 11 miles off the Ventura coast.

Hong was among 22 divers aboard the Explorer, a diving vessel that departed from Ventura Harbor at 7 a.m. Sunday.

Described as an experienced diver, Hong was a member of a Los Angeles diving club that had chartered the boat for the day.

Coast Guard officials said Hong liked to dive alone and was by himself during Sunday’s dive.

Once the Explorer’s crew reported Hong missing at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, the Coast Guard and National Parks Service scoured the waters near Anacapa Island during daylight hours. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department dive team joined the search Monday.

Hong was wearing a black wetsuit and blue-colored air tank. He was diving between Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands.