Johannesburg - A 22-year-old Johannesburg man has been reported missing at Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said on Thursday.
NSRI station commander Ian Gray said: "At 17h09, Wednesday NSRI Port Elizabeth duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Hobie Beach, Port Elizabeth.
"It was reported that two adult men had entered the water and after appearing to be separated from each other by currents one man had been swept towards the pier before disappearing beneath the surf. The second man was able to get to shore."
Bystanders said they had attempted to rescue the man before he disappeared beneath the surf.
Gary said the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Specialist Water Emergency Resources were activated and NSRI Port Elizabeth launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of Surfski IV and NSRI rescue swimmers.
Blue Water Bay lifeguards, NMB Fire and Rescue Services, EC Government Health EMS, the NMB Beach Managers office and Municipal lifeguards, the SA Police Service also responded.
"With no sign of the missing man a police dive unit conducted a search, but despite the extensive sea and shoreline search no sign of the missing man has been found," said Gary.
He said the missing man, believed to be 22, was thought to be from Johannesburg.
The search continues.