COASTGUARD NEWS - WESTERN REGION             

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Western 102/01
9 December 2001

COASTGUARD RESCUE NAVY AND MARINE DIVERS

Swansea coastguard received a 999 call from the divers who were 12 miles off the North Devon coast.

Twelve Royal Navy and Royal Marine divers had to be rescued by helicopter and lifeboat after getting into difficulty at sea off Lundy Island.

They had been diving from two rigid inflatable boats, when they started to return their boats became swamped, and their engines and radio were put out of action.


rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor in north Devon winched five divers to safety
Coastguard scrambled a rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor in north Devon and five divers were winched to safety. The all-weather lifeboat from Appledore RNLI took five more divers on board. Two other divers were towed into port by the lifeboat.

John Sibley, watch manager at Swansea Coastguard, said the sea had only a moderate swell and there was good visibility.

"These divers were very experienced and took all precautions necessary - however accidents can happen to the best prepared party and our advice is always to hope for the best and prepare for the worst," he said.