Search for missing diver in Saipan ends

Jerick Sablan | Pacific Daily News

Show Caption Hide Caption Exercise caution when enjoying the waters around Guam The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam and the Navy's Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 share a video to raise awareness of personal water safety and the possible hazards when swimming in the ocean around Guam.

The search for missing diver John J. Jones ended after three days.

Jones went missing after diving near the Grotto in Saipan with other companions on Sunday.

Rescue officials in Saipan searched three full days for Jones, but found no trace of him, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services firefighter and spokesperson Derek Gersonde said.

Officials searched the area where Jones was last seen during the day and called the search off at night because there was no visibility, he said.

After 72 hours of no signs of Jones the search ended.

More: Search for missing diver, John J. Jones, continues in Saipan

Around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, officials received a call about an overdue diver at the Grotto, a release states.

The missing diver was identified as Jones, 65, and was last seen outside the Grotto and was with three other divers, the release states.

According to Jone's diving companions, Jones motioned he was running low on air, showed no signs of distress and was still OK, the release states.

While entering back into the Grotto, his companions turned around and noticed Jones was no longer with them, the release states.

The companions returned to the surface, notified the Grotto security to call for emergency help, changed out their tanks and went back into the Grotto to search for Jones until rescue officials arrived, the release states.