DEVON, UK (9 Dec 2001) -- An R 169 Coast Guard helicopter and an Appledore RNLI lifeboat rescued 12 Royal Navy and Royal Marine divers off the North Devon coast. The military dive teams had been diving near Lundy Island from two RIB (rigid inflatable boats). On the way back to port, Force 4 winds and moderate seas swamped both boats, putting both engines and radios out of action. The boats were severely damaged and one started to sink. The Coast Guard rescue helicopter winched five divers to safety, five more were picked up by the rescue lifeboat and two, who remained aboard the less damaged of the two RIBs, were towed into port. | |
Local rescue officials pointed to the incident as an example of why all divers must take worst case safety precautions whenever they leave port. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
