Lifeboat crew searched for missing diver
(Picture: Mary Harris/Longhope RNLI)
By pure coincidence, the crew of the lifeboat were already gathered on Longhope Pier almost fully kitted out, just having to put their lifejackets on, as they were having their picture taken by a visiting photographer. He caught the moment the crew were paged by Coastguard, just before 12.30pm.
The diver was diving from onboard the 6m twin-engine dory, the Sheila C in Switha Sound.
The lifeboat searched the area, and the inflatable Y- boat from the lifeboat was also launched, at its helm was crew member Oscar Spence, on his first shout with the lifeboat.
Thurso Lifeboat was paged, and the local dive boat, John L coincidentally skippered by one of Longhope Lifeboat’s deputy coxswains was also in the area and joined in the search.Sea conditions and visibility were described as good.
As the search was underway, the Coastguard received a call from the diver who had made it safely ashore at the Martello Tower off Hackness Point.
The lifeboat was then stood down at 13.25pm and returned to station, refuelled and made ready for service.
The lifeboat crew were all on the pier as they were in the process of being photographed by Jack Lowe from the Lifeboat Station Project.
Jack’s incredible mission is to document every RNLI Lifeboat Station using Victorian photographic methods.
This required the crew to stand completely stationary for 5 seconds and it was at this moment their pagers went off and Jack caught the moment.
Afterwards when it was known that the diver was well and safe and the crew were back ashore, Jack said: ‘When you see this happening it reminds me of what I’m documenting. That these are normal folk, ready to go and help others at a moments notice. I’m so pleased the Lifeboat Station Project was able to save a few minutes on the launch time and what a treat to have another project first- to have a crew portrait made as the pagers are going off in their pockets.”