Both Eyemouth RNLI lifeboats launched to missing diver

Both lifeboats were quickly on scene at St Abbs Head following reports that a diver had been separated from their dive party on-board a local dive boat, and was potentially missing.

The diver was quickly located ashore, having made their own way to the rocks but had become exhausted doing so.

With the UK Coastguard concerned that the diver may have made an uncontrolled rapid ascent, crew from the inshore lifeboat, along with a paramedic from the all-weather lifeboat were transferred ashore to assist with the casualty care being administered by St Abbs Independent lifeboat, who were also in attendance.

It was reported that other than being exhausted, and having scrapes to their knees and hands from the rocks, they were ok and had controlled their return to the water surface.

Eyemouth inshore lifeboat transferred the diver from the shore to the all weather lifeboat, who then took them back to St Abbs, where they were reunited with their dive party.

With no further assistance required, both lifeboats were stood down and returned to Eyemouth, arriving back in harbour around 90 minutes after the initial call.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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