A warning sign at Keaau Beach (aka Shipman Beach). Hawaii 24/7 File Photo

Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Fire/rescue crews responded to a 1:33 p.m. Alarm Friday (April 6) for a missing swimmer off The Shipman Estates area of Puna.

A 17 year-old boy was swimming with two friends and got swept into the bay by strong waves and a possible rip current.

Crews searched the shoreline areas while the fire department’s Chopper One conducted an aerial search. The fire department rescue boat had divers make three dives searching North and South of the last known location of the swimmer.

The search was suspended due to poor visibility in the late afternoon.

The search will resume in the morning pending weather and ocean conditions.

UPDATED (4/7/2012 at 10:53 AM)

Keaau Beach (aka Shipman Beach). Hawaii 24/7 File Photo

Fire dispatch reports that the body of the 17 year-old missing swimmer was recovered near the shoreline in Haena Bay fronting the Shipman Estates in Puna early Saturday morning (April 7).

The the possible drowning victim was located by Chopper One near the mouth of the bay wedged in rocks in shallow waters. A rescue man from the shoreline made his way to the victim and found no signs of life. The body was placed into a billy pugh net and airlifted by Chopper One to the shore where it was turned over to police.