Overdue diver located safe and well by Coastguard helicopter in Cornwall

Newquay Coastguard helicopter pictured during a training
exercise earlier in the year ©Greg Caygill
An overdue diver has been located safe and well by the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Newquay after a large search operation was launched earlier today.

Just after 1pm today (9 August) UK Coastguard received a VHF Radio broadcast on Channel 16 - the VHF distress frequency – from the diving vessel reporting that the diver was 15 minutes overdue.

The diver, who was with a group of seven other divers, was last seen 1nm north of Mannacles, Cornwall.

An extensive search and rescue operation was launched involving Porthoustock and Mullion Coastguard Rescue Teams, Falmouth and Lizard  RNLI Lifeboats and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Newquay.  Devon and Cornwall Police were also informed.

The missing diver was located safe and well by the Coastguard helicopter just after 2pm on the shoreline.  Despite being exhausted, he required no medical treatment and has been airlifted to Porthoustock. 

Lee Duncan,  Duty Controller for the UK Coastguard said:  ‘We commend the actions of the crew of the diving vessel who called us when the diver was overdue.  The diving vessel had all the right equipment on board including a VHF Radio in case anything went wrong – which is what they used in this case to raise the alarm with us.  Thankfully, the UK Coastguard helicopter was able to locate the missing diver on the shoreline and take his safety.  It was very clear that the dive vessel had a plan in place if anything should go wrong and they did exactly the right thing to contact the Coastguard quickly so we could task our Coastguard, the RNLI Lifeboats and our Coastguard helicopter to assist.

‘Remember if you’re planning on diving in the sea, make sure you are adequately qualified and experienced for the dive that you plan to undertake, keeping a close eye on weather and sea conditions, and making your own fitness a top priority for safe diving.

‘Familiarise yourself with new or different gear before planning deep dives and to always dive within your limits. In an emergency contact the Coastguard immediately.’


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