'Leisure' divers fined by police after Exmouth RNLI rescue operation

Two divers rescued from the sea over the weekend have been fined by police after a major rescue operation involving Exmouth RNLI.

The divers got into difficulty on Saturday at around 3.30pm while diving four miles off the coast of Seatown, Dorset. One diver was reported missing by the other after he did not return to the dive boat.

Exmouth RNLI's All Weather Lifeboat, 13-33 Bridie O'Shea, was launched at 3.46pm on Saturday to assist in the rescue operation.

The search and rescue operation involved the Exmouth RNLI, Lyme Regis RNLI Atlantic Class Lifeboat B857 Spirit of Loch Fyne, a Royal Navy ship HMS Tyne, a H.M. Coastguard helicopter from Newquay and several local fishing boats in the area.

After almost two hours of searching, a sailor on board the HMS Tyne spotted the lone diver, three miles from where he had entered the water.

He and his dive-mate were recovered and brought safely back to shore. Both divers had been diving as 'a leisure activity' and have now been fined by the police as they were deemed to have been in breach of the coronavirus lock down rules.

A spokesperson for Lyme Regis Coastguard said: "The Government has been clear that during this coronavirus pandemic we need to #StayHomeSaveLives. Leisure diving is not essential and every 999 call made could put our frontline responders at risk of #COVID-19 and places avoidable pressure on our vital NHS services."

Exmouth RNLI Deputy Coxswain, Roger Jackson, said: "The diver was very fortunate to have been located safe and well so quickly and, although there was an easterly swell, visibility was good and there were a number of vessels in the locality who came to help in the search.

"We are grateful for the invaluable assistance of our RNLI colleagues from Lyme Regis, the crew of HMS Tyne, Lyme Regis Coastguard Rescue Team, the HM Coastguard helicopter and other vessels in the area that came together in a coordinated effort that led to this successful rescue.

"The diver was very lucky indeed and although I'm very pleased the outcome was good, I would urge everyone to please heed the latest government Coronavirus instructions."