A 22-year-old man is dead after drowning in Saipan waters early Wednesday. 

CNMI first responders arrived at Hidden Beach along Route 36 on Saipan after receiving a call about a man drowning while spearfishing with a friend.

The Department of Public Safety says both men arrived at the beach at 8 a.m. but lost sight of each other after half an hour. His friend saw the 22-year-old’s body at the bottom of the ocean after free diving to search for him.

The police report says the friend attempted to retrieve the body but faced strong waves and left to call for help.

At 10:33 a.m. the U.S. Coast Guard HSC 25 helicopter and BSS Impact boat were able to locate and recover the unresponsive man from the water who was later brought to the Saipan hospital.

This is the first drowning incident in the CNMI this year.