DATELINE: 23 April 2003

EASTER BRINGS CHILLY START FOR UK DIVERS

The traditional start to the diving season kicked off with strong winds around the country and water temperatures around 8 degrees.
Strong north-easterly winds brought rough conditions and cold temperatures to most of the UK as many divers and dive clubs made their first foray into UK waters after the long winter break. Many dive plans were abandoned by Saturday as sea diving proved a tad challenging and the lure of the pub too appealing. By Sunday, many had given up and returned home.
A diver was lost at Scapa Flow, another was recovered by Coastguard off Donegal after being reported missing. Portland Coastguard airlifted a diver with suspected DCI after a dive on the wreck of the Hood.
Divers from a Derby club and their RIB were rescued from Lyme Bay by Ian Taylor and his dive boat Skin Deep after they ran out of petrol attempting to dive the M2 and were forced to let off a red distress flare.