The captain of a German container ship describes the rescue of Spanish fishermen from a sinking trawler off the coast of Cornwall.
A Spanish trawler 'Sonia', believed to have been fishing illegally, gets into difficulties off the Cornish coast, approximately 75 kilometres off Land’s End. The stricken trawler with a crew of 16, was spotted by the German container vessel ‘Achat’ bound for Waterford. Captain Peter Breuer radioed Land’s End for assistance,
Please make Mayday.
Five minutes later two helicopters arrived on the scene. Thirteen of the trawlermen were winched aboard the helicopters. Captain Peter Breuer rescued three crew members from a dinghy. One of those rescued is believed to be the Spanish captain but Captain Peter Breuer cannot be completely sure as the men only speak Spanish.
When the German ship arrives in Waterford, the three Spanish fishermen are questioned by An Garda Síochána.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 20 October 1984. The reporter is Michael Ryan.
