07/03/2006

Kilkeel fishing crew airlifted to safety

Five Kilkeel fishermen have been rescued after their boat, ‘Ocean Harvest 2’, caught fire in the Irish Sea.

At 12.15pm today, the crew put out a mayday on the international distress and calling frequency before abandoning ship by taking to a liferaft.

Belfast coastguard immediately broadcast a mayday relay to any shipping in the area and received several offers of assistance.

An Irish Coastguard rescue helicopter from Dublin has successfully rescued the five fishermen from their liferaft.

Richard Newell, Belfast Coastguard said: “We are pleased that the five men have been successfully rescued. The fishermen have been taken back to Dublin and will be taken to hospital to be checked for the effects of smoke inhalation, but are otherwise safe and well.

“I would like to thank all the vessels that responded to our mayday relay broadcast.”

The fire is undestood to have started in the engine room of the vessel.

(GB/SP)

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