The skipper of a diving boat broke down in tears today as he told of a tragedy which claimed the life of a wreck diver.

Coastguards resumed their search for a second missing man, 58, at first light today as a third diver battled for his life in hospital, where he is being treated for the bends.

The trio were part of a group of seven which chartered the Michelle Mary from Littlehampton harbour to explore wrecks 15 miles off Shoreham.

An investigation has been launched to find out why the three, all experienced divers, shot up too quickly from 180ft.

In Littlehampton today, the Michelle Mary's skipper, Ivan Warren, said the group on the trip were old friends.

Ashen-faced and his voice cracking, Mr Warren said: "It was just a tragic accident. We don't quite know what went wrong.

"It's a tragic loss. I have known these people for 15 years. They weren't just customers, they were friends. They had even stayed at my house the evening before.

"All are capable of the dive and experienced."

He said the team was performing a 63-metre dive to a shipwreck known as The Vessel.

Six local divers were this morning due to join the search for the diver who is still missing. Hopes of finding him alive were fading. In the present conditions he would not be expected to survive more than 12 hours.

Efforts continued until dusk yesterday, hampered by choppy seas and a Force 5 wind.

Last night David Williams, Coastguard watch manager, said: "The first diver surfaced rapidly from a very deep dive.

"The second came up having made some of his stops and we are still searching for the third. We are very concerned."

The alarm was raised at 12.20pm yesterday when the first diver surfaced and quickly lost consciousness. The second had made some stops on the way up to avoid suffering the bends.

Mr Warren put out a distress call and pulled the unconscious diver from the water.

Both men were later lifted from the dive boat by the crew of the Coastguard helicopter India Juliet from Lee-on-Solent.

They were flown to the Royal Alexander Hospital at Cosham, Portsmouth, where one was pronounced dead.

The four remaining divers were brought safely to the surface and remained on board the Michelle Mary while the search for the missing man continued. Shoreham lifeboat was launched at 12.35pm yesterday and was leading the sea search.

Spokesman Dave Casson: "He is apparently an experienced diver who had been out quite a few times with this particular dive boat."

Mr Casson added: "Because of the state of the tide it was too dangerous to put divers down to search for the missing man yesterday afternoon.

"The first opportunity would have been at midnight when it was still too dangerous to dive."

Michelle Mary operates from Littlehampton and nearby ports and Mr Warren advertises his services as a skipper with many years of experience.

Mr Warren's partner, Sharon Mean, said: "I feel awful. They were staying here."