Coastguard helicopter called to aid stricken diver later declared dead

The Shetland coastguard rescue helicopter was involved in an attempt to save a sick diver off Unst on Sunday.

The man got into problems during the afternoon while diving with the oil support ship Acergy Osprey in the northern North Sea sector.

The helicopter was despatched but by the time she flew the 110 miles from Sumburgh the diver had been declared dead. The ship turned around and headed for Peterhead.

Meanwhile lifeboats and coastguard teams were called out on Saturday afternoon after a man in a workboat became unsure of his position in the foggy weather. The 40-foot Challenge had left Scalloway at 4am, apparently intending to head for Aberdeen.

At 5.30pm Shetland Coastguard received a call from the boat and scrambled the rescue helicopter. Lerwick and Aith lifeboats were launched to join the search along with coastguard rescue teams from Lerwick and Burra.

Using direction-finding radio the helicopter was able to pinpoint the Challenge off Banna Minn at the south-west end of Burra. The Aith lifeboat moved in and escorted her to Scalloway.