Scuba diver identified

(Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston, File)

LONG SAULT – Provincial police have identified the scuba diver who went missing in the St. Lawrence River near Lock 21 last week.

SD&G O.P.P. say the diver, missing since Tuesday, June 11, is 46-year-old Thomas “Andy” Phillips.

Phillips was an experienced scuba diving instructor, who worked at the Utila Dive Center in Honduras. He was the director of professional and technical training.

“Andy made an immeasurable impact to the community, the conservation and preservation of marine environment and notably the development of professional scuba divers throughout the world. The impact that leaves our hearts broken is the one he made on everyone who had the privilege to know him. He was a thoughtful dive buddy, meaningful mentor, and best friend to so many that will now miss him dearly,” the center said in a post on its Facebook page.

His body has not been found though searchers are back out on the water today – the eighth day of the search off Macdonell Island along the Long Sault Parkway.