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Dramatic rescue in Lough Swilly
24.03.09
SIX fishermen were
airlifted to safety by the Irish Coast Guard
helicopter in a dramatic early morning rescue at
Leenan Bay in Lough Swilly on Sunday.
The alert was raised shortly before 2am when the
18-metre crab fishing boat 'Niamh Aine' ran aground
on rocks at a notoriously dangerous spot known as
'The Stook' below cliffs at old Leenan Fort.
Malin Head Coast Guard picked up a mayday from the
vessel around 12 miles north of Buncrana and the
all-weather and inshore Lough Swilly lifeboats were
tasked to the scene. RNLI spokesperson, Joe Joyce,
described the timeline of the rescue mission which
began around 1.53am and continued for nearly five
hours. |
"When we arrived at the
scene around 2.40am, things were very intense. We
used searchlights to locate the boat. Where it was
stuck, there was a large Atlantic swell lifting it
about 10 foot into the air every couple of minutes
and dropping it very violently back onto the rocks.
By around 5am there were two large holes in the
boat."
With the rocks making any approach from the sea
hazardous in the rising tide and darkness, the
Sikorsky helicopter from Sligo was tasked to the
scene. The rescue mission leaders decided it was
safer to wait for daylight before proceeding with
the operation. In the meantime, the helicopter flew
to Carrickfin Airport in Donegal to refuel. |
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Joe Joyce continued:
"The skipper of the vessel, an Englishman, was very
professional. He got everyone kitted up and into the
wheelhouse and he kept them in there. We kept in
regular radio contact with them to reassure them we
were on standby only 100 metres away."
Lough Swilly RNLI all weather lifeboat coxswain Mark
Barnett added: "The crew had an uncomfortable stay
aboard their stricken vessel for five hours, but it
was the safest option given the lack of light, the
sea conditions and the location of the vessel."
Meanwhile, Greencastle Coast Guard's cliff rescue
team were assembled at the cliff top making ready to
abseil down the 120 foot rock face in case the
airlift failed. However, when the Sikorsky
helicopter returned around 6.05am, the winching
operation began.
A winch-man was sent down and the shaken crew were
taken up two at a time, said Mr Joyce. The ‘Niamh
Aine’, which operates out of Rathmullan, is owned by
Donegal man Patrick Friel. It is understood that
some of the five crew were non-nationals. None of
the crew required medical attention following their
ordeal. Mr Joyce paid tribute to the helicopter
personnel and the stricken vessel’s skipper, who he
said remained calm and professional throughout. The
boat is still on the rocks today pending further
assessment. |
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