San Diego

Two civilian divers were rescued early Tuesday morning by the amphibious assault ship Belleau Wood after being in the chilly ocean more than six hours, drifting about 4 miles south off Point Loma.

Vernon Brown, 34, and Keith Rustvold, 32, were flashing lights, trying to attract the attention of passing boats, when they were spotted at 6:15 a.m. in a light fog by a sailor standing watch on the bridge of the Belleau Wood.

According to the Navy, Brown and Rustvold, experienced divers, anchored their boat at Point Loma and entered the water at 12:35 a.m. Navy officials did not say why the pair were diving at that time of day, and the men could not be reached for comment.

When the divers surfaced, they discovered that a strong current had pushed them south, about 4 miles from their boat, the Navy said. Rather than attempt to swim back to the boat, the men stayed together and began “flashing lights.” At least two passing boats failed to see the lights, the Navy said.

While keeping an eye on the two men in the predawn darkness, the ship was maneuvered closer to the divers and a lifeboat and helicopter completed the rescue, the Navy said. Brown and Rustvold were pulled into the lifeboat at 6:40 a.m. and taken to the ship’s hospital.

The two were suffering from mild exposure but returned to their boat later in the morning. The Belleau Wood was on a training operation when it was diverted for the rescue.