A MAJOR search operation for a missing diver has resumed today, after he failed to surface after a dive.

Scarborough Lifeboat Station said a full-scale, ten hour search operation was launched on (Sunday, July 8) to search for a missing 74-year-old diver off Ravenscar, who had been diving two miles from the North Yorkshire coast. Emergency crews were alerted after he failed to return to the boat.

An extensive search operation took place involving three HM Coastguard rescue teams from Whitby, Burniston and Ravenscar, as well as the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter, police and Whitby and Scarborough RNLI lifeboats.

Other vessels also joined the search in hope of locating the missing man.

Scarborough Lifeboat Station sent out its all-weather lifeboat at 4.52pm, which returned at 3am this morning.

This morning its inshore boat was despatched to search the shoreline from Cloughton to north of Robin Hood’s Bay.

Speaking about the search for the man, Whitby Inspector Simon Jolly said: “North Yorkshire Police, working alongside the HM Coastguard, RNLI and other agencies, are currently searching for a diver who has failed to surface, approximately two miles off the Scarborough coast.

“The diver, a 74-year-old man from Scarborough, was reported missing at 6.55pm Sunday 8 July 2018.

“The Scarborough RNLI and HM Coastguard conducted searches overnight. Day time searches have been taken over by Whitby RNLI and the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Underwater search team.

“Officers are currently supporting the man’s family and keeping them up to date with the on going searches.”