On this day in Wembury, 27 August 1992
The Western Evening Herald reported an unusual rescue off Wembury when two yachtsmen sailing near the Mewstone heard voices calling up from the water. Looking over the side, they were startled to see three divers bobbing below them, one of whom called out, “Excuse me, we have lost our boat, can you help us?”
The divers explained that their boat, called Gaffer, had drifted away while they were underwater. They had surfaced to find themselves stranded and appealed to the passing yacht for assistance. The yacht’s crew radioed the coastguard while trying to keep sight of the divers as the sea carried them steadily along the coast.
A Brixham Coastguard spokesman confirmed that the crew on Gaffer were themselves struggling with their engine and had to keep manoeuvring so they did not lose sight of the divers again. Within minutes another call arrived from a second vessel, the Viking Dawn. Its crew reported that they too had “lost three of our divers” and needed help finding them.
Coastguards soon coordinated the situation and confirmed that all three men were located, treading water, and safely reunited with their vessel. The report stands out for its peculiar double coincidence and the relief that all involved were recovered without injury.
Source, Western Evening Herald, 27 August 1992.