12 Fishermen Rescued From Sinking French Trawler

A major rescue operation was launched this morning (Wednesday) when a 34mtr French registered Trawler, “Radoche Tercero” issued a Mayday shortly before 6:00am

The Irish Coast Guard at Valentia Marine Rescue Coordination Centre are currently coordinating a rescue operation which is in its final phase 53 nautical miles south west of Dursey head, Co. Cork.

Valentia Coast Guard received a MAYDAY just before 6am today from the fishing vessel, ‘Radoche Tercero’, which was taking water.

The Coast Guard broadcast a MAYDAY relay to all shipping and tasked the Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter R115, the Coast Guard Fixed wing 120F, Castletownbere lifeboat and Baltimore lifeboat.

Castletownbere RNLI launched their lifeboat under Coxswain Willie Power with four crew members onboard while Baltimore RNLI launched their lifeboat under Coxswain Aidan Bushe with six crew onboard.

Weather conditions at the time were described as fair with a 2m ground swell.

The crew of 12 persons had evacuated to a life raft and were picked up by the fishing vessel ‘Punteareas Uno’ and are currently being escorted by the Castletownbere lifeboat into Castletownbere. The crew were recovered safely and did not require any medical attention.

The vessel with the rescued crew members are due alongside the pier at Castletownbere at approximately 3.30pm.

Speaking following the call out, Brian O’Driscoll, Castletownbere RNLI Launch Authority said: ‘We would like to commend the fishing crew for taking the right precautions in having a means of communication and for raising the alarm when they knew they were in difficulty. We would like to commend the crew of the other fishing vessel who came to their aid and thank our colleagues in the Irish Coast Guard.

‘This was the first call out for crew member Willie Power in his role as Coxswain and the first call out for crew member Sean O’Shea. It was an early call and a seven hour shout and we would like to thank and commend all involved.’