Missing Diver Found in Orkney

A diver that went missing was found in Orkney by a dive boat on Wednesday.

The dive boat Fair Morn reported to Shetland Coastguard that they had a missing diver off Burwick in Orkney.

The Coastguard coordinated an extensive search of the Pentland Firth area involving RNLI lifeboats from Thurso, Longhope and Stromness and two Coastguard rescue helicopters as well as shoreline searches by Duncansby, Scrabster, Hoy and St Margarets Hope Coastguard rescue teams.

A sail training vessel passing through the Pentland Firth called Yunyi Baltiets reported that they had located and recovered the diver from the water two miles east of Duncansby.

The diver was transferred to Thurso RNLI lifeboat to be brought to shore.

Gary Harris who coordinated the search in Shetland Coastguard Operations Centre said, “During search operations at sea, it’s incredibly challenging to spot a head in the water especially at night. The diver was very fortunate to be spotted by the crew on the sail training vessel Yunyi Baltiets and taken aboard safely. He is reported to be conscious and in a reasonable condition considering he has spent 11 hours in the water.”