Update 16.00 3rd October: At 15.00 today, weather forced the abandonment of the search for the 65 year-old spear-fishing scuba diver who failed to reappear after several hours down off Ardnamurchan Point.
Kilchoan and Fort William coastguard rescue teams went to the area this morning but it was too windy and wet for the coastguard helicopter to operate.
A spokesperson for Clyde Coastguard said: ‘The search has been called off for the afternoon, but it will resume in the morning. We haven’t found anything yet. The weather has been horrendous today’.
3rd October: Clyde Coastguard are co-ordinating a continuing search for a 65-year-old spear-fishing diver who had not reappeared off Ardnamurchan Point last night (2nd October) after several hours. His wife alerted the rescue services in concern.
The Kilchoan Coastguard Rescue Team immediately turned out to begin a shoreline search and a Coastguard rescue helicopter from Stornoway was scrambled. Team members from the Salen Coastguard Team were also drafted in to boost the numbers searching in such challenging environment.
The Tobermory all weather RNLI Lifeboat also launched and went to the last known position of the missing scuba diver, in the bay to the south of the lighthouse.
Various vessels also responded to a call from assistance from Clyde Coastguard and were directed to the area of search around the lighthouse location, which is at the most westerly point on the British mainland.
The highly experienced diver is described as wearing a black wet suit and always carried an orange float with him. He is described as being very cautious and careful in his approach to diving and has had over 40 years experience. He has fins and a spear gun with him and normally wears a weight belt.
Weather conditions were poor, with a short sea and winds of force 5 – 6 and were deteriorating as the search was called off last night, resuming again this morning.
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