MISSING SCALLOP DIVER FINS ASHORE

A scallop diver who was missing for around four hours was found safe and well this evening on the shore near Mupe Bay, Dorset four miles away from his last known location

At just before 4pm this afternoon the vessel ‘Kindred Spirit’ called Portland coastguard to report that a diver had failed to surface with his buddy. They had been diving for scallops on the Lulworth Banks, three nautical miles southwest of Lulworth Cove. ‘Kindred Spirit’ had already been looking for him before raising the alarm.

Portland coastguard sent the coastguard rescue helicopter based at Portland and Weymouth RNLI Lifeboats to the scene and Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to search from the shoreline. A number of vessels in the area, including the Dorset Police RHIB, responded to a mayday message broadcast by Portland coastguard asking for urgent help from other ships in the area.

After an extensive search for the diver, who was wearing a black wetsuit and fins, the survey vessel ‘Discovery’ reported seeing a person dressed in black on the shoreline in Mupe Bay to the east of Lulworth Cove at just after 7.15pm. Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Officers were immediately sent to investigate and within a few minutes they were able to confirm that the person on the shoreline was the missing diver and that he was safe and well.

The diver told the Coastguard Rescue Officers that he had been overcome by waves during the dive and had quickly been carried away from ‘Kindred Spirit’ by the tide. Although he had seen the units searching he had been unable to attract their attention.

Andy Jenkins, Watch Manager at Portland Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre said:
“It’s very unusual for a diver that’s been missing for nearly four hours to turn up safe and well. Although a highly experienced diver the strength of the tide made it impossible for him to hold the line to the boat and he was swept away.

“Black wetsuits are very difficult to spot in the water but there are a number of devices that divers should carry to attract the attention of rescuers if they get in to difficulty. These range from dye bags to surface marker buoys, reflective mirrors and personal locator beacons. Any of these would almost certainly have saved this diver from a lengthy fin to shore.”

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

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

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