Divers Missing Off Coast Of Whitehead Found 'Safe And Well'

Three divers reported missing off the coast at Blackhead, near Whitehead, Co Antrim, have been found "safe and well".

The alarm was raised at about 5.30pm on Wednesday, 08 June, about 40 minutes after the three divers were expected to return.

Larne All-weather lifeboat launched followed by Larne inshore lifeboat and a search operation got underway, coordinated by the coastguard, including Bangor RNLI, the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116, four shipping vessels, two boats from Whitehead Yacht club and Larne, Portmuck and Bangor coastguard teams.

Larne RNLI inshore lifeboat located the three divers at 6.50pm on a cliff face north of The Gobbins.

It is understood the men were fatigued, hungry and thirsty, but did not require medical attention. Larne All-weather lifeboat took the divers onboard and transferred them safely back to Belfast Coastal Operations Centre in Bangor.

Larne RNLI Operations Manager Allan Dorman said: "Conditions were very challenging with visibility down to about fifteen metres. The divers did the right thing and stayed together. We were fearful as time passed and our lifeboat crews were still searching the area with no sightings but thankfully the tide took them north and to nearby rocks.

"They were exhausted when they were finally located and recovered onto the inshore lifeboat. We are extremely thankful that the callout ended well with everyone accounted for and safely recovered. Our thanks to everyone involved in the search."

(MH)



Photo: RNLI/Alistair Mawhinney