THREE fishermen were rescued when their trawler sank 30 smiles west of the Blasket Islands, Co Kerry, yesterday morning. The crew of the 36 year old vessel Laochra Bhearn managed to send out a Mayday message when it began taking water. They abandoned ship and took to a life raft.
A Russian ship arrived to assist them. Shortly afterwards another trawler from their home port of Castletownbere, Co Cork, came on the scene and took them on board.
A rescue helicopter from Shannon then brought the men to Castletownbere, where they were stated to be none the worse for their ordeal.