---

Boat: All Weather Lifeboat
Crew: John Blakeston (Coxswain), David Proud, Carl Beardmore, Dave Nicoll, Diane Bush, Claire Angove, Elliot Holman
Location: 16 miles South East of Dodman Point
Shout Date: 09/09/2011 - 16:25
Weather:SW 3, Slight Sea and Swell, Very Poor Visibility, Thick Fog

---

At 16:15 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth All Weather Lifeboat be launched to assist in the search for a diver who had been reported missing by the Dive Boat Sea Breeze in a position 16 miles South East of Dodman Point. Fowey Lifeboat and a Rescue Helicopter from RMB Chivenor had already been tasked along with the Danish registered Chemical Tanker Orateca (85m / 2650DWT) which had been in the area.

The All Weather Lifeboat left its pontoon berth at 16:25 and headed out of the harbour towards Zone Point at reduced speed due to heavy fog. At 16:38 as the lifeboat was about to round Zone Point it was reported that the diver had been located and that the lifeboat was released to return to station.

The All Weather Lifeboat was back alongside its pontoon berth by 16:59. The lifeboat was then refuelled and was ready for service by 17:10.

The diver had been exploring the wreck of the 167m Steamship Afric which was sunk by the German Submarine UC-66 on 12 February 1917 with the loss of 22 lives (147 survived including the captain). The wreck is in 75m of water and the diver was using a re-breather. The diver had been on the shot line returning to the surface when it had weight and marker had drifted clear of the dive site and could not be seen in the 100m visibility. The diver had been located on the surface by the tanker Orateca which recovered him to their deck before he was collected by the dive boat. The Fowey Lifeboat which had been launched at 15:50 checked that the diver did not need any medical attention, and once this was confirmed the dive boat headed back to the River Tamar in Plymouth where they were met by the Tamar Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team to obtain further information. Considering the very poor visibility the diver was very lucky to be located so quickly, much to the relief of all concerned.