Missing wreck diver feared dead

Ally · 04-06-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

A search operation for a diver missing in the North Sea has been called off amid fears he has died.

Rescuers called off the search at 2030 BST on Saturday after the man had been missing for nine-and-a-half hours.

The alarm was called after the 38-year-old from Cheshire failed to resurface after exploring a wreck in Scapa Flow off the Orkney Islands.

Rescuers said there was little chance he was alive as survival time in the water would be only about three hours.

Strong winds

The missing man was diving from the dive boat Karen and had been diving above the 40m-deep vessel Markgraf with a colleague.

Emergency services were called and a major search was launched, co-ordinated by Shetland Coastguard.

A coastguard helicopter and Stromness and Longhope RNLI lifeboats searched the water, fighting force 6-7 winds.

Coastguard rescue teams from Hoy and Stromness were also involved in the operation.

Shetland Coastguard said police were now handling the matter and would decide what further action to take on Sunday morning.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...st/7332909.stm