A major search and rescue effort was launched last night to find a missing diver off the south coast of Orkney.
The diver vanished in an area on approach to Scappa Flow, off Burwick in South Ronaldsay, at about 5.20pm.
A coastguard spokesman said that they had been under the watch of a commercial shellfish diving vessel which had a “problem drifting” in the water, but upon returning to the original dive site could not be found.
It is believed that the dive boat is based at St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsay, and that the diver involved lives locally.
Thurso lifeboat and Orkney’s Longhope and Stromness lifeboats were launched along with the coastguard’s search and rescue helicopter from Shetland. Coastguard rescue teams from Hoy and St Margaret’s Hope were also involved.
Two other commercial vessels, along with the Pentalina passenger ferry, assisted with the search.
Eearly yesterday morning, Portree lifeboat was launched to help a stricken yacht which broke down between Rona and Portree.
The lifeboat was called out at about 9.40am to help the 34ft vessel which was experiencing engine failure.
