Fishermen From Sinking Vessel Safely Back Onshore

Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Posted 16:22 GMT

Three Kilkeel fishermen, who requested Coastguard assistance via VHF radio when their vessel appeared to be sinking earlier today, have just arrived back into Kilkeel Harbour. The three arrived onboard their ten metre fishing vessel Crystal Star, escorted by the Kilkeel RNLI lifeboat.

Belfast Coastguard received a call from Crystal Star at midday today reporting that their vessel was rapidly taking water and that their pumps could not keep up with the ingress. The Crystal Star was 20 miles south east of Kilkeel. The Coastguard requested the Port St Mary and Kilkeel RNLI lifeboats to launch and the Irish Coastguard helicopter Rescue 116 from Dublin was also scrambled.

Belfast Coastguard broadcast a mayday relay and two ships responded: a roll on roll off ferry Clipper Point and a salvage tug Intrepid B.

Fortunately, the salvage tug Intrepid B happened to have an emergency pump on board. Once the helicopter arrived on scene, it was able to help the tug to transfer the pump to the vessel via the Kilkeel lifeboat. The pump was then used to control the ingress of water and was left onboard whilst the Crystal Star was escorted back into Kilkeel Harbour by the Kilkeel Lifeboat.

Belfast Coastguard Watch Manager Alan Pritchard says:

The fishermen were incredibly fortunate that a salvage tug happened to be so close by and able to offer assistance. They were well prepared for this eventuality and donned immersion suits and lifejackets. They also had a liferaft onboard in case they needed to abandon ship.

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