According to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency the 55-year-old man, described as an experienced diver, failed to surface from a shotline dive on the wreck of the Maine yesterday, 24 April.
An emergency call was put out from the dive boat Outcast to Brixham Coastguard at 1155. Searches were launched by Salcombe all-weather and inshore lifeboats, and the rescue helicopter from RN Culdrose.
Two dive boats, Mia and Falcon 2, arrived on site and carried out both underwater and surface searches.
Some 15 other vessels in the area also joined in the effort, including fishing boats and HMS Tyne.
In addition, Hope Cove Coastguard’s shore team carried out a shoreline search and clifftop sea scan.
Searches were stood down at 1615, Brixham Coastguard stating that “sadly on this occasional the long search has proved unsuccessful”.
The other April fatalities have also involved older divers, aged 55 to 67.
On 18 April Maurice Bell, 67, from Rothwell in Northamptonshire, got into difficulties on a dive off Calve Island, in West Scotland’s Sound of Mull.
He died before Tobermoray Lifeboat could get him to shore and a waiting ambulance.
The same day, a 60-year-old diver from Salford died after making a rapid ascent from 22m and surfacing unconscious off the Farne Islands, in Northumberland.
He was airlifted by the helicopter from RAF Boulmer to Wansbeck General Hospital, where it was confirmed that he had died.
On Easter Day, 4 April, Robert Heeley, 55, from Nottingly, Wakefield, died after collapsing on the boat after a dive near Beadnell in Northumberland.
He was taken ashore by Seahouses Lifeboat and transferred by the helicopter from RAF Boulmer to Wansbeck General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Related links
Farnes death
Mull claims diver
Easter Day death
Age a factor in diving incidents
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