Search called off for missing divers

The search for BSAC rebreather diver Penny Glover has been called off by the French coastguard. The former BSAC rebreather chief instructor and her buddy, Jacques Filippi, went missing following a rebreather trimix dive in Porquerolles in the South of France on Monday 21 November.

According to reports, the divers had deployed an SMB, but failed to return to the surface. Coast guards in the Mediterranean resort were called immediately. However, an extensive search for the divers was hampered by bad weather and was called off Wednesday afternoon.

Penny, 42, first learned to dive in 1986 and became a highly experienced and respected technical diver and BSAC volunteer. An instructor trainer for semi-closed and closed-circuit rebreathers, she was instrumental in developing the first-ever rebreather courses for BSAC launched this year.

‘It is extremely sad,’ BSAC chairman Marcus Allen told DIVE. ‘Penny gave so much to the club for so many years and was highly regarded in the diving community. It is a great loss to diving. Our thoughts go out to friends and family of both divers.’

Clare Peddie, BSAC's national diving officer, added: 'This is an extremely sad loss for all of us who have been privileged to know Penny. Her warmth and kindness will be so deeply missed. Penny was a leading light in the BSAC.'

Source: www.divemagazine.co.uk/news