WATCH: Search for owners of lost drone found on seabed on Caithness coast
Divers in Caithness have plunged new depths – in the hope of finding the owners of a lost drone found at the bottom of the sea.
Members of the local club are hoping to reunite the drone’s owners with their pictures and videos – even if the device might not function any more.
Caithness Diving Club made the discovery during a dive last weekend at Geo of Sclaites at Duncansby Head.
David Steele, club chairman, said: “The club is used to seeing shipwrecks at various sites around the coast, but they found a more unusual ‘wreck’ in the geo in the form of a downed (and drowned!) drone lying on the bottom.
“This was brought to the surface initially as litter removal, but Greg Benson, who had retrieved the drone, decided to see if anything could be recovered from the unit’s memory card.
“Somewhat surprisingly, the card was still functioning in spite of its immersion in the sea and two videos plus some still pictures were recovered.”
One of the videos shows the drone descending – under control – from the cliff top into the geo, admiring the scenery and birdlife. However, its final plunge into the sea is not recorded.
Another video is taken above the car park at Duncansby Head and shows the couple who own the drone, along with their dog.
On the video, it is possible to read the registration number on the couple’s camper van – GD 936CH – on what looked like an Italian number plate.
The club hope that by sharing the story with the Caithness Courier, the owners of the downed device might be found.
Mr Steele added: “The drone itself is obviously a write-off, but it would be nice to get the memory card back to the owners at least.
“It is possible that someone reading this – perhaps a campsite owner or receptionist – might have spoken to the couple and got the story of the lost drone and also have contact details from their check-in at the site.”
Anybody with information can contact editor@nosn.co.uk and the Courier will pass on the details to the diving club.
