SATTAHIP, Thailand – A major search operation off Samae San ended in relief late Thursday night after four foreign technical divers who had been reported missing at sea were found safe and brought ashore. The four divers disappeared during a technical diving trip off Samae San in Sattahip district, Chonburi, after entering the water during the daytime on August 14. They failed to return to the surface at the expected time, prompting authorities to launch a search by sea and air.
The search operation was coordinated by Sattahip District Chief Nattawut Anuyotha, together with Pol. Col. Khomsan Khamtunkaew, chief of Sattahip Police Station, and personnel from several agencies. Relatives and friends waited anxiously for updates as search teams continued working through the evening.
At approximately 8:45 p.m., personnel from the Royal Thai Navy’s Special Warfare Command, known as the Navy SEALs, spotted people floating in the sea near Suay Nam Sai Beach in Samae San. The rescuers immediately moved in and brought all four divers to safety before taking them to the coordination point, where they were reunited with their waiting relatives. The four divers were identified as a 64-year-old British national, two American nationals aged 63 and 50, and a 37-year-old Polish national.
Authorities said all four are certified and experienced divers, with some reportedly working as diving instructors. They had travelled to the area to further develop their technical diving skills.
According to preliminary information, the divers surfaced after completing their dive but discovered that their boat was no longer at the location. They then decided to remain together and float in the sea while waiting for assistance.
They were subsequently carried by the current towards Suay Nam Sai Beach, where Navy SEAL personnel spotted them and carried out the rescue. The successful discovery brought an end to several hours of anxious searching and prompted an emotional reunion between the divers and their relatives. Authorities said all four were found safe, bringing a major relief to their families and the teams involved in the search operation.
