All 18 crewmembers from a Spanish fishing vessel were rescued from liferafts this afternoon shortly before their boat sank 320km west of the Co Clare coast.
The UK-registered vessel the Royalist sent out a distress call just before 4pm saying that it was sinking and its crew were taking to their life rafts.
The French trawler Damafram went to their assistance and picked them up within a hour.
The Spanish trawler sank a short time later.
The crew members are reported to be safe and well and are being taken to Dingle where they are due to arrive at 6pm tomorrow.
Valentia Coast Guard service says it has not yet been established why the Royalist began taking water and sank in such a short time.
The Royalist was built in 1960 and is 116m long.
