An RAF rescue helicopter airlifted the 13-man crew of a fishing vessel to safety from the Atlantic yesterday. The UK-registered vessel Pembroke had got into difficulties about 120 miles south of Mizen Head.
The operation began after the vessel lost its rudder and began taking in water 180 miles west of the Isles of Scilly. Sea conditions were rough and a 30-knot wind was blowing.
Crew members were brought to Cork Airport by a Royal Navy Sea King from the Culdrose base near Helston, Cornwall. From there they were taken to Cork University Hospital. Irish coastguards said last night they suffered no injuries and a local shipping agent had reported that "they're just waiting now for their air tickets home".
The Spanish, Portuguese and African crew of the vessel were all safe, confirmed a spokesman for Falmouth coastguard service, which was involved in the operation. A second Royal Navy helicopter, which was also scrambled to assist in the operation, returned to its base in Cornwall after the crew were rescued.
The two helicopters refuelled on the Isles of Scilly before heading to the vessel, which had two other fishing craft standing by it.
A Nimrod communications aircraft from RAF Kinloss in Scotland was monitoring the situation in the area throughout the rescue.