Irish Coast Guard Rescues 12 Fishermen from Sinking Trawler

UPDATE: The Irish Coast Guard has successfully rescued 12 fishermen from a sinking 35m fishing trawler off the coast of Cork early this morning. The dramatic rescue unfolded around 6 AM today after a mayday call alerted authorities to the vessel taking on water near Dursey Island.

The fishermen were operating approximately 54 miles southwest of Dursey Island when their boat began to sink. The Irish Coast Guard swiftly mobilized, requesting the launch of both the Castletownbere and Baltimore RNLI lifeboats, alongside Rescue 115, a Coast Guard helicopter from Shannon, and a fixed-wing aircraft.

By 9 AM, the Castletownbere RNLI, led by Coxswain Willie Power, arrived on the scene. However, the crew received crucial information that the fishermen had abandoned their vessel and were safely in a life raft, later picked up by another nearby fishing boat. This quick action by the crew of the other vessel proved vital in ensuring their safety.

The Baltimore RNLI was subsequently stood down, while the Castletownbere team proceeded to recover the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) from the sinking trawler. They returned to the station by 1 PM, concluding a challenging seven-hour operation.

Following the incident, Brian O’Driscoll, the Launch Authority for Castletownbere RNLI, praised the fishermen for their preparedness, stating:

“We commend the fishing crew for having a means of communication and for raising the alarm when they knew they were in difficulty. We also thank the crew of the other fishing vessel for their timely assistance.”

This operation marked the first call-out for Coxswain Willie Power and crew member Sean O’Shea in their new roles, highlighting the importance of training and readiness for emergencies at sea.

As weather conditions and maritime safety continue to be a priority, today’s event serves as a reminder of the critical role the Irish Coast Guard and local RNLI teams play in safeguarding lives at sea.

Stay tuned for further updates as authorities assess the situation and the safety of the fishermen involved.