The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft were involved in an early morning operation which saw 12 crew member rescued from a sinking fishing vessel of the South West coast.
The Irish Coast Guard’s Marine Rescue Coordination Centre on Valentia Island in Kerry are currently coordinating the ongoing operation which is in its final phase about 53 nautical miles (98 kilometres) south west of Dursey head, Co. Cork.
Coast Guard watch officers in Valentia received a May-day call just before 6am today from the fishing vessel, ‘Radoche Tercero’, which was reported to be taking on water.
The Coast Guard broadcast then broadcast a May-day relay radio message to all shipping requesting them to assist if they could. The Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115, the Coast Guard fixed wing Rescue 120F as well as the Castletownbere and Baltimore RNLI lifeboats were also tasked.
The crew of 12 persons had evacuated their vessel to a life raft and were picked up by the fishing vessel ‘Punteareas Uno’. They are currently being escorted by the Castletownbere lifeboat into Castletownbere.
All crew members were recovered safely and did not require any medical attention.
The vessel with the rescued crew members is due alongside the pier at Castletownbere at approximately 3.30pm.
