Florida Man Missing After Free Diving Near WWII Shipwreck: Search Underway

On a fateful Sunday, a 39-year-old man named Virgil Price vanished after embarking on a free diving expedition near the Halsey shipwreck, which dates back to World War II. The location of this peculiar incident is approximately 13 miles southeast of the Fort Pierce Inlet in Florida.

Search Operation Launched

The Coast Guard and the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office promptly initiated an extensive search operation when Price failed to resurface from the depths surrounding the historic shipwreck. Notably, this area is situated around 130 miles to the north of Miami.

Identification and Statement from Florida Freedivers

Virgil Price was recognized as a team member of Florida Freedivers, an institution dedicated to the practice of freediving and spearfishing. Hailing from West Palm Beach, Price was described as family by the organization, which expressed deep concern in a poignant Facebook post on Monday.

Description of Virgil Price's Attire

Before his disappearance, Price was attired in a distinctive green wetsuit adorned with an orange stripe on the hood. Additionally, he had yellow weights attached to his weight belt and was equipped with black carbon fiber fins, as disclosed by the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.

Previous Incidents Raise Concerns

Last year, Coast Guard Captain Jason Ingram emphasized the inherent dangers associated with diving, following the disappearance of a 44-year-old diver in the vicinity of Key West, Florida. Consequently, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office had also participated in the search for the missing diver on that occasion.

Insights into the Halsey Shipwreck

The Halsey, constructed in 1920, suffered a fateful fate according to Fishing Status, a platform catering to the fishing community. While en route from Corpus Christi, Texas to New York carrying 80,000 barrels of fuel oil, gasoline, and naphtha, the vessel was struck by a torpedo, leading to its demise. Subsequently, the ship split in half and was engulfed in flames. Adversely affected, the 32 crew members sought refuge in two lifeboats and were ultimately rescued by a fishing vessel, as per Fishing Status.

Currently, the remnants of the Halsey lie in three segments on a sandy seabed, resting 65 feet below the water's surface. Interestingly, the bow and stern maintain an upright position, while the midsection is inverted.