Kyle lifeboat called to assist nine divers after boat breaks down

Kyle RNLI lifeboat was called out just before lunchtime on Saturday to assist nine divers in the water after their boat broke down.

 

The lifeboat was launched after the dive boat suffered mechanical failure

 

in Loch Alsh and drifted away from the dive area resulting in the group needing

 

help when the divers surfaced.

 

Kyle lifeboat Spirit of Fred Olsen launched at 11.55am and was on scene two minutes later, by which time a few of the divers had already surfaced and were being helped by nearby vessels.

 

Three of the divers were alongside the SD Raasay but, due to the size of the vessel, were unable to get onboard.

 

The lifeboat picked the divers out of the water and transferred them onto the larger

 

vessel, before going to help another member of the group who had just surfaced.

 

The fishing vessel Helen Bruce picked up another three divers and transferred them

 

onto the SD Raasay whilst the lifeboat went to search for the remaining two who were

 

still underwater. A short while later the final members of the diving party surfaced and

 

were picked up by the lifeboat.

 

"attachment_402538" "" "300"] The Kyle RNLI lifeboat towed the dive boat back to harbour. Photograph: Kyle RNLI.
NO F48 Dive Boat under tow 03

 

Once it was established everyone was accounted for and uninjured, the SD

 

Raasay took some of the group back to Kyle, whilst the lifeboat went to assist the

 

stricken dive boat.

 

The lifeboat took the RIB under tow back to Kyleakin before returning to the lifeboat station at 1.45pm.

 

A Kyle RNLI spokesperson said: ‘The diving party had just purchased their new dive boat and were extremely well equipped, however, unfortunately they were extremely unlucky and the boat suffered a severe mechanical failure which left it completely disabled in the water.

 

'Due to the swift action of the dive master calling for assistance early, the entire group was recovered quickly and safely.’

 

CAPTION:

 

Divers clearly visible on the surface as the lifeboat approaches. Photograph: Kyle RNLI. NO F48 Divers in the water 02

 

 

Extra pic:

 

The Kyle RNLI lifeboat towed the dive boat back to harbour. Photograph: Kyle RNLI.

 

NO F48 Dive Boat under tow 03