SEARCH ENDS FOR MISSING DIVER IN LARGO BAY

Forth Coastguard coordinated an extensive search for a missing diver in Largo Bay this afternoon.

At 1pm Forth Coastguard was contacted by a member of the public ashore reporting someone waving for help on a boat. Forth Coastguard requested the launch of Kinghorn RNLI lifeboat and sent Leven and St Andrews Coastguard Rescue Teams to the scene.

At 1.37pm Forth Coastguard received a call from Fife Police informing them that one of the two people aboard the boat had called to say that a diver was missing from the boat and the Coastguard was then able to speak with the boat by telephone because the vessels VHF radio was not functioning.

Royal Navy Rescue Helicopter R177 was sent to the scene to join the lifeboat and Coastguard Rescue Teams to search Largo Bay. After a thorough search in very good weather conditions no sign of the missing diver was found. Forth Coastguard stood down the search units at 3.50pm pending a search by Central Scotland Underwater Search Team.

The missing diver is reported to be a local man in his mid to late 30s who chartered the boat locally. The two men who remained on the boat reported that the man had surfaced during the dive in approximately 6 metres of water and requested more weights but did not resurface after this.


-Ends-
Notes to Editors

1. The MCA is a partner in the Sea Vision UK campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the sea and maritime activities. Sea Vision promotes the importance and economic value of the sector and works to highlight the exciting range of activities and career opportunities available to young people within the UK growing maritime sector. www.seavisionuk.org

2. Stay safe - before heading out on the water get trained, check weather and tides, wear a lifejacket, avoid alcohol and keep in touch

3. Follow us on Twitter. Find us at MCA_media

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