ROCKPORT, MASS. (WHDH) - Emergency crews are searching for a missing diver in Rockport, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

About 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, crews responded to the area of Cathedral Rock near Cathedral Avenue and Green Street after a scuba diver came ashore reporting that his companion, a 47-year-old man, was missing.

The two men were visiting from out of state and were in a rubber raft about 200 yards off Cathedral Rock.

Police say the missing man is an experienced diver and met all local requirements. And they say this area can be dangerous for divers who are not familiar with the waters.

“He had not seen him for close to an hour, so one of the difficulties is how much air in the tank, (and) how experienced is the diver, (and) how far out off, (when he was) last seen,” said Rockport Lt. Mark Schmink.

The Coast Guard says that crews will continue searching throughout the night. Police divers will return Thursday morning.

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter was on scene, along with the Rockport Harbormaster and Rockport Fire Department, and crews are engaged in an active search and rescue operation at this time.

A Coast Guard helicopter is responding from Cape Cod and state and regional dive teams are also responding to assist with the search.

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