Longhope, Stromness, Thurso and Wick RNLI involved in search for missing diver

Longhope RNLI launched their Relief Tamar-class lifeboat, Peter and Lesley-Jane Nicholson, just after 6pm on Tuesday and headed into the Pentland Firth for searches alongside Wick RNLI lifeboat, The Roy Baker II. Longhope and Wick RNLI were later joined by Thurso RNLI lifeboat, The Taylors, around 9pm.

The crews were informed that the diver entered the water near the Tails of the Tarf, off the island of Swona, and failed to return to the surface when they were expected to The alarm was quickly raised via a passing passenger vessel.

The lifeboats from Longhope, Thurso and Wick returned to the station for a refuel, and was then joined by Stromness RNLI lifeboat, Violet Dorothy and Kathleen, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Over the space of 24 hours, the search involved four RNLI lifeboats, UK Coastguard teams and helicopters, as well as a number of local and private vessels.

A spokesperson for the RNLI says: ‘We would like to thank all of our crews involved in the search operation. Our thoughts are with the diver’s family and friends at this difficult time.’

Notes to editors

· Longhope lifeboat station has been operating since 1874. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/longhope-lifeboat-station

· Stromness lifeboat station has been operating since 1867. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/stromness-lifeboat-station

· Thurso lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/thurso-lifeboat-station

· Wick lifeboat station has been operating since 1848. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/wick-lifeboat-station

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RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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