20/08/2003

Japanese fishing vessel in distress 800 miles off NI

The UK Coastguard are currently involved in assisting a Japanese fishing vessel in distress about 800 miles off the coast of Northern Ireland.

At about 11:40pm last night Falmouth Coastguard picked up a distress call from Kinshoumaru No 18' with a crew of 23.

The fishing vessel gave a position of 800 miles west of the coast of Northern Ireland.

A Nimrod aircraft has been sent to the area and a satellite broadcast has been made to shipping in the area to assist with the search.

Falmouth Coastguard are being given assistance from the Japanese Coastguard and also from the US Coastguard, who are advising shipping in the area to offer assistance. The American flagged US Navy's civilian crewed oceanographic vessel 'Mary Sears' responded to the Coastguards broadcast for assistance and is en route to the distress position.

Earlier this morning Falmouth Coastguard Watch Manager, Simon Rabett, said: "The weather on scene is believed to be not bad, with about an 8ft sea swell.

“The RAF Nimrod Aircraft will be on scene within a couple of hours and 'Mary Sears' is expected to be on scene in about five hours time.

(SP)

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