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Seven fishermen rescued in Lough
Swilly
04.03.08
SEVEN fishermen are
recovering today in hospital after a dramatic
overnight rescue operation when their boat crashed
into rocks in Lough Swilly.
Lough Swilly’s all-weather and Atlantic 85 lifeboat
were tasked by Malin Head Coastguard around 3.45
this morning to assist a crabbing boat in difficulty
south east of Saldanna Head. The Sikorksy rescue
helicopter from Strandhill in Sligo, Mulroy Cliff
and Coast Rescue and an ambulance from Carndonagh
were also tasked to the rescue. |
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Lifeboat officials said
it took heroic efforts from the helicopter team to
save the men who were grounded in high swells under
an overhanging cliff in the lough. Lifeboats were
unable to reach the 50ft Horizon crabbing vessel
because of the rocky headland near Ballymastocker
Bay during the two-hour rescue.
The boat made a mayday call to Malin Head Coast
Guard station |
around 3.30am
after it hit the rocks and began taking on water.
Dara O'Malley Daly of Malin Head Coast Guard, said
the rocky seascape, overhanging cliff and high swell
around where the high-sided boat went aground
hampered immediate efforts to lift the fishermen to
safety.
"The vessel itself was actually perched in under a
cliff ledge and, because of the bad water and the
high swell, both lifeboats were unable to effect a
rescue," he said.
"The seven fishermen were assembled at the stern of
the boat wearing their life jackets, so once the
helicopter came on scene, he could see the stern of
the boat protruding out from the cliff. Thankfully
he was able to get the winchman down, which was a
very, very dangerous operation, and successfully
winched up the seven fishermen on to the aircraft.
The fishermen were treated for hypothermia and shock
but there were no serious injuries. They were taken
by the Coast Guard helicopter to City of Derry
Airport where the Northern Ireland Ambulance took
them to Altnagelvin Hospital.
Lough Swilly all-weather lifeboat coxswain Mark
Barnett said the heroes of the night were the crew
of rescue helicopter. He also praised the skilful
and professional co-ordination efforts of Malin Head
Coast Guard radio station. |
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