A V.I. National Park Service official on Tuesday identified Steve Rock, 60, of Enola, Penn., as the visitor who died Sunday near Waterlemon Cay at Leinster Bay on St. John.
“He was snorkeling alone,” according to Acting Superintendent Mike Anderson.
Anderson said the cause of death has not been determined but that it could be drowning or medical causes.
Rock’s body was found in shallow water near the east side of Leinster Point at 3:33 p.m.
Anderson said Rock had been snorkeling with his wife, but she had gotten tired and returned to shore. She lost sight of him, and when she figured out he was missing, she called for help. Anderson said boaters anchored in the area initially assisted.
He said they called the U.S. Coast Guard and that a dispatch park ranger monitoring the marine channel heard the call for help. A park ranger hiked to Leinster Bay at 1:50 p.m. It can only be reached by foot path.
According to Anderson, St. John Rescue also responded with divers, who found Rock’s body.
“They pulled him out, but he was unresponsive,” Anderson said.
According to Anderson, Rock and his wife were vacationing on St. John.
Anderson said north swells were not a factor because they hadn’t yet started on Sunday. The swells were so large Monday that the National Park closed Trunk Bay Beach. He said the waves were still present Tuesday but not as bad as Monday and that the beach was open.
Anderson urged people who snorkel to do so with a buddy so someone will notice when problems arise.
