06/11/2008

Rescue Operation Launched After Fishing Vessel Blaze

Rescue workers were 'scrambled' this morning off the coast of Co Galway after receiving news of a fire on board a Dutch-registered fishing vessel.

Shannon and Sligo-based coastguard helicopters raced to the scene along with the Aran Islands lifeboat, as the ship's 26 crew members feared for their lives following the outbreak of a blaze in the engine room in the early hours of the morning.

The vessel's crewmembers escaped injury however, and the fire is now contained.

Electrical power has also been restored to the ship, which is attempting to pull in its nets before continuing on its journey.

The rescue effort follows an operation off the coast of Donegal on Wednesday, when a 51ft steel hulled ship, the Shaun Shaun, began taking on water and began to sink while fishing for herring.

A neighbouring vessel rescued the three crew members after emergency coastguard services were dispatched to the scene.

(DW)


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