Updated 7:45 p.m. — This story was first published Monday afternoon while the search was active.
SAIPAN — The body of the 52-year-old man who went missing in the water at Sugar Dock Monday morning was recovered at 6:30 p.m., the Department of Public Safety said. He was transported to Smiling Cove Marina, where he was identified by family members.
The man and another swimmer entered the water in the area of the channel at around 9:30 a.m., attempting to locate a pole on the reef, when they encountered high tide and strong ocean currents that began pulling them toward the channel, according to DPS. As the two attempted to swim toward the reef, one experienced difficulty and became unresponsive. The other swimmer attempted rescue efforts before swimming to shore to seek emergency help, and DPS received the report at approximately 11:37 a.m.
Personnel from the DPS Marine Patrol Section and the DFEMS Search and Rescue Unit conducted search operations through the day, with a Navy helicopter observed over the search area during the afternoon.
The man’s name has not been released.
