Search and rescue teams have called off the search for a missing Kamloops firefighter after nine days.

Fifty-three-year-old Brian Lannon disappeared while scuba diving in Okanagan Lake near Kelowna on May 15. Since then, crews have been searching for Lannon near the Bennett Bridge, but since May 17, the search for him had been a recovery effort.

Lannon had been diving with his wife of 20 years, Jennifer Cook, and two people from Kelowna, and had started at City Park near the bridge.

The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue society says its members have spent more than 500 hours searching for Lannon with RCMP Dive Team members.

Lannon was a 27-year member of Kamloops Fire Rescue, who joined the department in 1994. He was on his days off when he disappeared and was scheduled to return to work on May 18.

He is regarded by his peers as a loving husband, son, brother and uncle, and as a dedicated member of KFR.