Major search and rescue effort launched to trace missing diver in Orkney. Image: DC Thomson.
A major search and rescue effort to find a missing diver in the Orkney Islands has been called off.
The diver vanished on Thursday morning and coastguard teams were called out to search in the Scapa Flow area.
Search and rescue helicopters were sent from both Inverness and Stornoway shortly after the alarm was raised at 11.10am.
Scapa Flow can be up to 200 feet in depth. Image: DCT Media.
Inquiries into the incident are ongoing
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokeswoman said: “HM Coastguard has been coordinating the search for a diver that was reported overdue from a vessel in Scapa Flow yesterday, September 28.
“The alarm was raised at about 11.10am and assets sent to assist with the search included lifeboats from Stromness and Longhope RNLI, coastguard helicopters from Inverness, Stornoway and Sumburgh and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Kirkwall, Hoy and Stromness.
“Vessels in the area were also asked to assist with the search. The search and rescue was terminated at around 9.30pm.”
Teams returned to base at around 9.50pm last night.
Police are now leading the investigation.
A spokeswoman said: “Around 1.55pm on Thursday, September 28, we were made aware of a diver missing in Scapa Flow.
“Inquiries are ongoing.”
Major search effort winds down as missing Orkney diver still untraced
