Diver saved after RNLI search near to Eddystone Lighthouse

Crews from Plymouth and Falmouth were involved

The RNLI have released this image of the rescue
Author: Andrew KayPublished 10th Jun 2024

The RNLI say a missing diver near the Eddystone Lighthouse was "lucky to be found".

The Inshore lifeboat and larger Plymouth all-weather lifeboat were both launched just before 1pm yesterday afternoon - along with the Fowey all-weather lifeboat.

Plymouth crew member Wilfred Deacon spotted the diver drifting on the surface, adding: "We arrived on scene and began the search pattern set out by Falmouth Coastguard/

"On our first leg of the search I spotted the diver on the surface of the water and notified the Coxswain."

Crew member Josh Hay helped recover the diver with his equipment onto the all-weather lifeboat.

Coxswain Neil Humphrey said: "We located the casualty on the first leg of our search and with the assistance of the inshore lifeboat recovered the diver and his equipment on to the all-weather lifeboat to be assessed.

"The paramedic winch-man from Rescue 924 winched down to carry out a full assessment and thankfully deemed him fit and well.

"A job well done by everyone involved resulting in a person being able to return home today."

Just before the search, there had been separate reports of a 13-metre sailing vessel suffering engine difficulties on the River Tamar - with five people on board.

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