OAP diver died in Orkney after being struck by boat propellor while exploring warship

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A pensioner who died while exploring a wrecked warship in Orkney was "almost certainly" killed by being struck by a boat propellor.Paul Smith, from the Greater Manchester area, was out exploring the wreck of German battleship SMS Markgraf with two diving boats last September when he sadly lost his life.An investigation into the 70-year-old's tragic death found he had halted to carry out a decompression stop when he was struck by the rotating propellor of the support boat Karin around 10m below the surface.The probe was launched by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and, several months on, a safety bulletin has been released with a number of recommendations made.Safety issues that were flagged include having an effective lookout at all times while a vessel is underway when operating near people in the water, such as around dive boats is necessary.There is also a need for detailed and frequent communication between operators when multiple boats intend to operate in the same area, this coordination is crucial to ensure deconfliction and prevent accidents.Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.