The Spanish Government has presented an award to the Irish Coastguard for its response to a fishing vessel tragedy in which 12 crewmen died late last year.
The award was presented last night to Mr Eugene Clonan, a former Naval Service officer now working with the Irish Coastguard, by the Spanish Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr Miguel Arias Canete.
He was given the Cruz de Oficial de la Orden del Merito Civil on behalf of the Spanish government in recognition of the work done in the aftermath of the Arosa sinking last October.
The British-registered Spanish vessel from Milford Haven was running for shelter when it hit the Skerd rocks 17 miles south-east of Slyne Head in Galway Bay on October 3rd last.
One crew member, Mr Ricardo Arias Garcia, survived and was winched to safety by an Irish Coastguard Sikorsky helicopter. The 12 who died were from Galicia in Spain, Portugal and west Africa.