Exmouth lifeboat in diver rescue

Royal Navy patrol vessel involved too!

A south west diver's thanking his lucky stars (and talking to police) after vessels from around the region rushed to his rescue on Saturday afternoon. Exmouth's temporary all-weather lifeboat Bridie O'Shea headed four miles of the coast of Seatown near Lyme Regis after being called at around 3.45pm.

The joined that town's RNLI lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne as well as HMS Tyne, a fisheries protection ship, a coastguard helicopter from Newquay and other vessels in the area.

(HMS Tyne assists in the search for the missing man. Image courtesy: Harry Griffin / RNLI)

 After a brief search the missing diver was located safe and well and taken to safety. He had been diving without a buddy and adrift for two hours in which time he floated three miles from his last reported location. He had surfaced safely but lost sight of the dive vessel after his line became detached. He did not require medical attention. Both the diver and his companion were met by police once back on shore.

(The route taken by Exmouth Lifeboat Bridie O’Shea during the search. Image courtesy: Marine Traffic)

The lifeboat returned to Exmouth just after 6pm. Exmouth RNLI deputy coxswain Roger Jackson said: “The diver was very fortunate to have been located safe and well so quickly and, although there was an easterly swell, visibility was good and there were a number of vessels in the locality who came to help in the search. The diver was very lucky indeed and although I’m very pleased the outcome was good, I would urge everyone to please heed the latest government coronavirus instructions.”