Two men rescued after their jet ski capsized

Published on 26/11/2012 00:31

TWO men have been airlifted to hospital after spending over two hours in the water when their jet ski capsized.

A rescue operation involving two helicopters and lifeboats was launched at about 2:20pm yesterday when the men were reported missing in the Firth of Tay.

Broughty Ferry RNLI Inshore Lifeboat had originally been called to assist other members of the group whose jet ski had broken down, but the alarm was soon raised and further help was requested.

Aberdeen Coastguard, which co-ordinated the search, said a helicopter from RAF Boulmer and a police helicopter, Police 51, were scrambled, as well as lifeboat crews from Broughty Ferry, Carnoustie, Arbroath and Anstruther.

A sector manager from St Andrews Coastguard was also conducting a shoreline search. Both men were found near Tentsmuir Point at about 4.45pm.

They were taken on board a lifeboat before being transferred to the RAF helicopter, which airlifted them to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. The men are not believed to have been seriously hurt.

Steve Quinn, Aberdeen 
Coastguard watch manager, said: “We were very concerned for the safety of the two jetskiers, but I am pleased to say that they were found at about 4:45pm, two-and-a-half miles south-east of Tentsmuir Point. They 
believed that their jetski had sunk.

“They were both wearing drysuits and lifejackets, which certainly would have contributed significantly to their ability to stay afloat for long enough for us to find them.

“However, they were not carrying any communications equipment [such as vhf radio or personal locator beacon] which would have helped us to find them much more quickly.”