At around 10am on Saturday a report was filed with Marine police stating that 36-year-old American Joshua Michael Devine had gone missing from the Chontara dive boat which was positioned about 17 miles off Bang Tao Beach.
The report was made by the man’s wife Tassana Devine, 35, and the owners of the Chontara who are based in Songkhla.
The boat, which had 14 divers and seven crew on board, left Phuket at around midnight on Friday (April 10) and was due to spend five days at sea.
It has been reported that prior to his disappearance Mr Devine had been drinking with others on the boat. He left the group and they believed he had gone to the bathroom.
However, after 15 minutes Mr Devine had not returned so Mrs Devine and others from the group went looking for him. They could not find him anywhere on the boat.
Marine police, park officials and the Royal Thai Navy have been searching for Mr Devine since the report was filed, and yesterday (April 14) police interviewed Mrs Devine, two British and three Thai people, including dive instructor Sanya Lohitnawee, about the incident after a speed boat brought them back to Phuket.
The Chontara has since been taken to Moo Koh Surin while Marine police continue their search Mr Devine.