Four Cal Mac ferries responded to a Mayday emergency yesterday.
The alarm was raised for a missing diver when he failed to surface by his boat around 2.30pm.
Stornoway Coastguard co-ordinated a large scale search when his colleagues feared the worst and issued a Mayday.
A coastguard helicopter was despatched to the scene in the Sound of Mull. Oban and Tobermory lifeboats launched and a “multitude” of fishing and salmon farm boats also assisted.
Two Western Isles ferries and two Inner Hebrides ships altered course and headed to the man’s last known position.
Barra ferry, MV Isle of Lewis, and the South Uist vessel, MV Lord of the Isles, were joined by MV Lochinvar and MV Isle of Mull in the search effort.
On route, each ferry launched their fast rescue craft onto the water and sped ahead to search the area.
The missing man was later found ashore in Mull after he had drifted off and ended up in the wrong place.
Capt Morrison of the MV Isle of Lewis commended his crew for their seamanship - their swift and efficient actions ensured the ship’s rescue boat was quickly launched and setting off through the water towards the casualty in a short space of time.
