Divers search for swimmer submerged near Abalone Cove Shoreline Park

Divers were searching Wednesday afternoon for a swimmer who was submerged in the ocean near Abalone Cove Shoreline Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, officials said.

The U.S. Coast Guard, lifeguards and divers have been looking for the swimmer since 2:55 p.m. after witness reports of a body that was submerged in the ocean.

“It doesn’t look good,� said Inspector Keith Mora of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The rescue call is one of many fire officials have fielded since the weekend, mostly due to strong rip currents, especially along the south side of Rancho Palos Verdes.

Fire officials have responded to at least 49 ocean rescues since the weekend, he said.

He urged swimmers not to “underestimate the power of the rip tides.�

Swimmers, he said, should stay close to lifeguard towers, and swim with a partner.

Two men’s heroic rescue at the same cove over the weekend received national attention after someone filmed the incident.

Rob McNulty and Gary Golding rescued a teen who nearly drowned in the rough waters.

For breaking news in Los Angeles and throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at [email protected].