The crew of a French-registered trawler, who were forced to abandon their sinking vessel because it began to take on water off the south-west coast of Ireland, have been safely returned to shore.
The Irish Coast Guard at Valentia Marine Rescue Coordination Centre received a Mayday call from the trawler 'Radoche Tercero' from its location 54 miles south west of Dursey Island just before 6am today.
The French-registered 35 metre fishing trawler had started to take on water and was in difficulties.
Valentia Coast Guard tasked the Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter R115, the Coast Guard fixed wing 120F, and both the Castletownbere and Baltimore lifeboats to assist.
Weather conditions at the time were described as fair with a two metre ground swell.
Before the Castletownbere lifeboat arrived on scene after 9am, the crew of 12 had evacuated to a life raft and were picked up by a fishing vessel, 'Punteareas Uno', that was in the area at the time.
The trawler with the rescued crew, who did not require medical attention, has since arrived at Castletownbere this afternoon.
