Desperate search for female snorkeler, 20, who went missing off a popular beach
- A 20-year-old woman remains missing after disappearing from Altona pier
- Devastated family members broke down as they watched police comb the area
- Locals left shocked that a snorkeler could go missing in such calm conditions
- Melbourne records its deadliest season yet, with seven drowned in last month
There are fears for a missing 20-year-old female snorkeler who disappeared while swimming with friends on Saturday morning.
The woman vanished from the Altona Beach pier, in Victoria, before her brothers raised the alarm.
The search for the Ashwood woman is now considered a recovery mission after three days of local and water police looking for the snorkeler.
Police continue to search for a Melbourne woman who vanished from the Altona Pier on Saturday morning after family members noticed she failed to resurface and raised the alarm
The 20-year-old woman was 100 metres out from the shore and 400m outside of the flagged zone, with locals shocked by the woman’s disappearance during such calm conditions
The woman’s brothers alerted authorities of her disappearance when she failed to resurface from the water, with locals describing Altona beach as relatively safe.
She was wearing a weight belt while she snorkeled, which counteracts the buoyancy of the wet suit and allows the diver to enjoy a more controlled swim.
Devastated family members watched from the shore as police authorities combed the area, as fears mounted the young woman had drowned.
Drones, the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters, two jet ski services, two inflatable rescue boats and police divers have been deployed in the search efforts.
The police stopped their search just before midnight on Saturday, and continued at 7.30am on Sunday.
Life Saving Victoria state agency commander Kane Treloar said they would continue to assist police with the search.
‘It is understood the woman was last seen about 100 metres out from shore and approximately 400 metres outside of the flagged zone,’ Mr Treloar said.
Devastated family members watched specialist divers from the shore as their search continued, stopping just before midnight on Saturday night and continuing Sunday morning
‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing woman during what is no doubt an extremely distressing time.’
Altona Beach is the most popular beach in Melbourne’s western suburbs, known for its calm, clear waters. Locals and tourists visit to swim, fish, snorkel and kite surf.
The recovery mission for the missing snorkeler comes as Victoria marks its most devastating six-month period on record, with forty-two people drowned in Melbourne waters since July last year, with 7 in the past month.
While many described the popular beach as calm, a wind change can cause surf conditions to change quickly, with Melbourne reporting their deadliest drowning period on record
This toll is 15 more than the 5 year average, with Life Saving Victoria urging tourists and locals alike to take notice of safety signs at dangerous waterways.
Mr Treloar urged the public to check the weather conditions before they headed to beaches or waterways, and to only swim at patrolled locations, at patrolled times, and between the flags.
‘For divers and snorkelers, make sure you’re always heading out with a mate and staying with your mate in the water. Don’t head out if you’re feeling unwell, and always dive within your limits,’ he said.
‘We want people to be able to enjoy Victoria’s beautiful waterways, but you need to do it safely for your own sake and for your family’s sake’.
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