By Larry Altman

larry.altman@langnews.com @larryaltman on Twitter

Rescuers searched into the night Tuesday for a 25-year-old swimmer reported missing off the coast of Manhattan Beach, authorities said.

The unidentified man went missing about 4:45 p.m. near the 18th Street lifeguard tower, firefighters said. According to lifeguards, three swimmers were wading about 50 yards offshore. When they swam in, one did not return.

The two swimmers searched for their friend for 20 minutes, but could not locate him. They reported him missing to the nearest lifeguard and a search began at 5:15 p.m.

Eight scuba divers, 12 skin divers searched in the water while a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter assisted overhead. The Coast Guard as well as Redondo Beach Harbor Patrol deployed boats. Manhattan Beach police officers and firefighters assisted in the effort as well. However, the man was not found.

• Photos: L.A. County firefighters search water for a 25-year-old swimmer

The swimmer was described only as a black male wearing dark swimming shorts.

The search in the water was called off at nightfall, but Coast Guard officers aboard the cutter “Halibut” continued to patrol the ocean with the assistance of lifeguards. The search was set to resume Wednesday morning.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the swimmer was asked to call the Coast Guard command center in San Pedro at 310-521-3805.