Fisherman Rescued from Sinking Boat

Press Notice No: 59-09
Thursday, April 02, 2009

At 12:55 pm Belfast Coastguard received a 999 called from the JENEMI, a 10 metre fishing boat that had lost all power and was sinking about aprox eight miles east of the entrance to Strangford Lough.

The Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Team and Portaferry RNLI Inshore Lifeboats were called to assist the two crew members. Unfortunately the JENEMI sank quickly and the crew had to take to their life-raft, from where they were rescued and brought ashore by the RNLI lifeboat.

Alan Pritchard, Watch Manager at Belfast Coastguard said:

Its fortunate that the crew of the JENEMI had a life-raft that they could use when they needed to abandon ship.

It is recommended that all small fishing boats carry life-rafts and an emergency beacon so that in the event of an emergency the crew can safely abandon ship and will be located quickly.

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401