A fishing vessel which lost power and caught fire off the west Cork coast this morning has sunk after its 11 crew members abandoned the boat.
Valentia Coast Guard coordinated an air and sea rescue after being alerted to the fishing vessel Piedras taking on water shortly after 9am this morning.
The Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter R115 was immediately sent to the area approximately 60 miles South West of Mizen Head
Air Corps Maritime Patrol Aircraft and the LÉ Samuel Beckett also assisted in the operation while a second Coast Guard helicopter R116 was placed on standby at Cork Airport.
Shortly after raising the alert the crew of eleven abandoned the boat and boarded another fishing vessel, the FV Armaven.
John Draper, Divisional Controller with Valentia Coast Guard, said there were no reported injuries to any of the rescued crew members and they are believed to be in good spirits.
Speaking on RTÉ's Drivetime, Mr Draper said they are currently en route to Castletownbere and are expected to arrive by about 9pm this evening.
The vessel sunk in around 550 metres of water, he said, adding that it "wouldn’t be viable or practical" to do anything with it.
