TRIBUTES have been paid to the experienced scuba diver who failed to surface after a diving trip off the Swanage coast at the weekend.

Andy Moll, from North Curry, was reported missing on Sunday after diving to a wreck with the visiting Bristol-based Sevenside Sub Aqua Club.

An extensive search, involving the coastguard helicopter, Poole and Swanage RNLI volunteers, was finally called off on Monday. No body has been recovered.

The married father-of-four, in his mid-50s, had been diving for around three decades.

He'd also worked as an instructor trainer and once served as honorary secretary of the respected British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC).

Severnside SAC chairman Leon Smith said: "Andy has been a long-standing, active and well-respected member of the diving community for over thirty years.

"He has been a dedicated supporter of BSAC and a buddy, instructor, and a good personal friend to many members of Severnside SAC.

"Everyone who knows Andy is truly devastated by recent events and our thoughts and concerns are with his family and all those involved."

A major search operation, across a 10-mile area, was suspended late on Sunday night then continued the following day, after Mr Moll was reported as failing to surface earlier that evening.

Mr Moll's wife, Elaine, and four daughters have been informed and Dorset Police are continuing to investigate the incident.

"We are immensely grateful for the dedication and professionalism of the coastguard staff and RNLI Swanage and RNLI Poole volunteers who assisted those club members on the dive and undertook an extensive air and sea search of the area," said Mr Smith.

"We trust that the diving community will respect the privacy of his family and friends as they deal with this great tragedy.

"The family have asked that fellow divers show their respects by avoiding speculation as to the circumstances of this incident whilst official enquiries are ongoing."

Meanwhile, BSAC chief executive Mary Tetley described Andy Moll as a "very experienced diver" and a "good friend of mine for many years."

She added: "He worked with me on the BSAC Council and also previously served for a time as the honorary secretary of the BSAC.

"He was full of passion and enthusiasm, and had a true love of scuba diving, and all that went with it.

"Andy was also a real family man and our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to them, in particular his wife Elaine and four daughters.

"Andy will be truly missed by his BSAC club where he had so many friends, and the wider BSAC family."

Yesterday, a Dorset Police spokesman confirmed: "Police were called to reports of a missing diver on the evening of Sunday, May 24, in the Swanage area.

"Police attended and the coastguard undertook a search, but the diver - a man in his fifties - has not been located.

"The man's next of kin have been informed and police are making enquires surrounding the incident."