SEARCH FOR MISSING SEAFARERS FINISHES

The search for the five merchant seafarers who are missing ten miles west of the Lleyn peninsula, Gwynedd has finished for this evening and will be reassessed at first light.
Four lifeboats, four helicopters, three coastguard rescue teams, two merchant vessels and a fixed wing aircraft have searched an area of approximately 300 square miles today. However, sadly the only sign of the missing seafarers has been their two liferafts, a lifebuoy from the vessel and a survival suit.
In the early hours of this morning two seafarers were airlifted from the sea and a third person was found, but sadly he was deceased.
The 81-metre cargo  carrier, ‘Swanland’  broadcast a mayday message at  2.00 am this morning. The ship reported that their hull was cracking, due to bad weather and that they thought that it may be taking water. Holyhead Coastguard broadcast a mayday relay and several vessels responded. Two of these vessels were able to go to the assistance of the Swanland and its eight crew. When the two vessels arrived at the scene, they found two liferafts and some floating debris. They were able to provide shelter from the gale force winds, whilst awaiting the arrival of rescue resources. Meanwhile Holyhead Coastguard had scrambled two rescue helicopters and requested the launch of two lifeboats.
When the helicopters arrived on scene they found two crew members in the water clinging to the liferafts. These two were airlifted from the sea into the RAF helicopter and taken to RAF Valley. A short while later a third person, who was deceased was found. The search is continued throughout the day for the other five with additional rescue resources being added as the day progressed
Holyhead Coastguard Watch Manager Mark Craddock says:
“Sadly, despite a 14-search involving land, sea and air assets, we have not been able to find any sign of the missing men. As darkness draws in we are releasing the rescue crews.”

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