New Wave Media

The U.K. Coastguard received a mayday call just after 2:30 p.m. today from a dive support vessel reporting an overdue diver.

 

The diver’s buddy had resurfaced but had lost sight of his diving partner, prompting a large scale search involving RNLI Lifeboats from Penlee, Lizard and Falmouth as well a Rescue Helicopter from Culdrose.

 

The missing diver was wearing a personal locator beacon (PLB) which had been activated and was instrumental in locating him. The warship HMS Somerset was in the vicinity and spotted the diver, who was conscious and waving, the warship was then able to direct the dive boat to the casualty for recovery.

 

Maritime Operations Controller, Andrew Jenkins, said, “In this instance the divers PLB helped us identify his location. These devices are inexpensive and extremely easy to operate, the PLB helped us pin-point and recover the casualty in good time. 

 

“We always recommend that divers are adequately qualified and experienced for the dives that they undertake, and keep a close eye on weather and sea conditions,” Jenkins continued. “This diver is to be commended for making the sensible decision to wear a PLB, which you could say saved his life today.”

 

The recovered diver has been airlifted to Derriford hospital in Plymouth for routine medical checks.