(Roger Harrison–Arab News / 22-02-10)  After 48 hours adrift at sea, a scuba diver was rescued off the coast of Shuaiba, 180 km south of Jeddah, an informed source told Arab News on Friday. “The fact that he was found alive after a 48-hour exposure and after a three-dive day is quite remarkable,” said the source. “I don’t know if he is still OK.”

The diver, described only as a young Saudi man, was diving with two friends on Tuesday. At the end of the third dive, one of the men did not surface as expected. Precise details were unclear. However, it appears the two men alerted the Saudi Coast Guard after unsuccessfully finding their companion.

The Coast Guard initiated a search and rescue operation using GPS coordinates from the vessel, but the team was unable to find the diver by the sunset. The search continued on Wednesday to no avail. On Thursday, however, the man was found alive. The source said the men were reportedly spearfishing with their scuba gear, which is illegal in the Kingdom.