THREE STRANDED divers who were dramatically airlifted to safety from the Gantock Rocks at the weekend, as part of a multi-agency emergency operation have now been charged with ‘culpable and reckless conduct.’
On Sunday afternoon as winds whipped down the Clyde, in gusts reaching 70mph, the divers, who had ventured out to the Gantock Rocks in West Bay in a RIB, (rigid inflatable boat), found themselves in difficulty.
Emergency services were alerted and around lunchtime the crew of a Coastguard helicopter managed to successfully navigate the storm and hover above the Gantocks to conduct their rescue.
A spokesperson from the HM Coastguard explained: “Three divers reported to be in difficulty on the Gantocks rocks off Dunoon at about 12.40pm on December 22 were winched to safety by the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick.
The three people were met on land, safe and well, by Dunoon Coastguard Rescue Team. The RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Helensburgh and Police Scotland also attended.”
Its understood the trio didn’t need any medical treatment and the Rib, carrying their dive equipment was left moored to a rock, which was still there come Monday morning.
On Tuesday afternoon local police reported that the three had now been charged, in a submitted statement to this paper which read: “Three men aged 28, 29 and 35 were charged with culpable and reckless conduct and will be reported to the procurator fiscal following their rescue from Gantock’s Lighthouse at 1.40pm on December 22.”
