Student diver feared lost
By JESSIE STENSLAND
Whidbey News Times Assistant editor
July 3, 2008 · Updated 10:57 AM
The Coast Guard suspended a search Monday night for a missing diver at Rosario Beach.
Shari Booth, a 19-year-old Walla Walla University student, disappeared while taking part in a scuba class at the universitys Rosario Marine Laboratory located on the Skagit County side of Deception Pass State Park.
The Coast Guard received a report of a missing diver at 2 p.m. Monday. Officials launched a extensive eight-hour search over approximately 20 square miles, but found no signs of the missing woman.
Local volunteer searchers were joined by the Coast Guards HH-65 rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles, two 33-foot rescue boat crews from the Coast Guard Station in Bellingham and a Coast Guard Auxiliary rescue boat crew to search for the diver.
A rescue helicopter crew from Navy Air Station Whidbey Island also launched to assist in the search.
You can reach News-Times reporter Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewstimes.com or call 675-6611.
Contact Whidbey News Times Assistant editor Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360.675.6611 ext. 5056.Comment on this story.
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