At 16:09 Falmouth Coastguard requested that both Falmouth Inshore and All Weather Lifeboats be launched following a call from the Diving Boat Celtic Kitten reporting an unconscious diver requiring medical evacuation. The dive boat at the time still had a number of divers in the water. A rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose and the Porthoustock Cliff Rescue Team were also tasked to assist.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 16:15 and headed across the bay towards the Manacles. The helicopter by this time was already on scene and airlifted the casualty from the vessel and departed for Treliske Hospital. The remaining divers were recovered by other vessels in the area which had responded to the VHF call for assistance and were placed back onboard the Celtic Kitten. The inshore lifeboat met up with the dive boat off Porthoustock at 16:28 and escorted the boat back to Porthkerris where along with the cliff rescue team they obtained further information for the coastguard to assist in the casualty’s treatment. Once this task had been completed the inshore lifeboat was released to return to its station at 17:01.

The Inshore Lifeboat was back on its slipway by 17:19 where it was refuelled, rehoused and was ready for service by 17:35.

The diver is believed to have been returning to the surface with her buddy when something went wrong and she made a rapid accent. The dive boat recovered the unconscious casualty onto their boat and gave immediate first aid prior to the casualty being evacuated by helicopter to hospital where she is believed to have made a full recovery.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

- - - Sponsored Links - - -