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THE CREW OF a stricken trawler off the coast of Cork were airlifted to safety last night after the vessel began to sink in rough seas.
A complex multi-agency rescue operation had been underway since Friday after the Ellie Adhamh lost power more than 100km off Ireland’s south-west coast.
An initial attempt by a tugboat to reach the ship was called off due to severe weather conditions.
Yesterday radio equipment was dropped to the ship by an Irish Coast Guard helicopter, enabling the crew to communicate with the Irish Naval Service’s LÉ George Bernard Shaw as it attempted to establish a tow.
Later pumping equipment was also supplied as the trawler was taking on water.
After initial attempts failed, the naval vessel started slowly towing the trawler back to Bantry Bay.
However, concerns grew last night as weather conditions continued to deteriorate, with poor visibility, fading light, six-metre-high waves and strong winds.
A decision was made to abandon ship after it began listing and taking on more water.
Life rafts were deployed but the Rescue 117 helicopter was able to airlift the seven-man crew to safety with support from Castletownbere RNLI.
Watch the above video here.
A Defence Forces spokesperson said the tow parted from LÉ George Bernard Shaw due to heavy sea and swell conditions soon after the winching operations were complete.
The naval vessel remained in the area to monitor and warn approaching traffic.
The owners were assessing options for recovering the trawler when it sank this morning in 80m of water more than two miles north of the Bull Rock.
The Irish Coast Guard said the rescued crew are in good spirits.
“In light of the prevailing conditions the evacuation proved to be extremely challenging and the successful outcome is testimony to the skill and professionalism of all involved,” a statement read.
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Some operators those boys..Ball s of steel.
Well done all involved in the operation. 7 families reunited. Great result.
Well done to our Naval service and all else involved. The Irish Gov. should dong more for the Navy after all we are kind of surrounded by BIG chunks of sea… now that’s a problem Luxembourg don’t have all Gov. monies go towards national team. JD has ours in safe keeping.
@Denis O Sullivan: I don’t get the connection to Luxembourg? The Navel Service seem to have done an excellent job. The RNLI seems to have done an excellent job. There are people who would most likely have been dead if it wasn’t for their professionalism and bravery, what’s the specific problem or issue?
The captains name was hardy Stephen Kenny was it?
On a serious note I hope all are safe and well
Well done to all involved. It shows what a brave lot of people who work in the rescue services
Amazing Stuff guys.
Should they have even been out there in those Rough weather conditions # Health & Safety and Due care towards employees….
@Larry Rawson: aw yeah, there we go. Someone had to play the faux-outrage “they shouldn’t have been out there” card. The ship lost power, that’s why they got into bother – not the weather. Weather made the rescue operation a lot trickier, but they likely would have been grand if they hadn’t lost power.
@Larry Rawson: there’s always one..
@Larry Rawson: “oh yaw loike” brigade. The vessel lost power. That was the issue. Storms whip up. Sounds like they were making for port when the failure happened.
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