Fishermen wearing lifejackets rescued after their vessel sank off Shetland

Five fishermen have been rescued safe and well after a fishing vessel sank just off Shetland this morning.


All five were wearing lifejackets and they had an EPIRB on board the vessel which went off pinpointing their position.


Shetland Coastguard Operations Centre co-ordinated the response after the crew issued a Mayday alerting the Coastguard they taking on water just after 6.50 this morning (3rd March).
Lerwick RNLI Lifeboat reached the vessel first and two crew went on board to try and help pump water out of the vessel. Having no success, they eventually had to abandon the sinking vessel and the fishing vessel crew were winched on board the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Sumburgh.

NMOC Duty Controller David Jones with examples of EPIRBs
and PLBs.  An EPIRB gave a position to the Coastguard and
 saw the swift rescue of the fishing vessel earlier this morning.
The boat sank, but all five crew were rescued from the water by the lifeboat.

Mark Rodaway, commander for the UK Coastguard said: ‘The lifeboat had a difficult time trying to safely get alongside the fishing vessel which subsequently sunk.

‘But I’m delighted to say that all five fishermen are safe and well and the fact that they were all wearing lifejackets ensured that they had the best chance of survival.’

 


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