FIVE AIRLIFTED FROM SEA
The Coastguard was notified of a fishing vessel in
distress just before 11am this morning. The Iuda Naofa, a 23m Irish fishing
vessel, was taking on water 48 miles north of the Butt of Lewis.
The Coastguard Rescue helicopter was requested to attend
the scene and drop a salvage pump onto the Iuda Naofa to pump off the ingress
of water. However, the vessel became swamped and started to sink.
The Coastguard Rescue helicopter airlifted two of
the crew onto the nearby sister fishing vessel, the Star of Hope. The other
three crew were transferred by helicopter to the Western Isles hospital, where
they are being treated for mild hypothermia.
Coastguard Duty Watch Manager, Paul Tunstall said
“The weather conditions on scene were very rough seas
with southerly force 6 winds, evacuating the five crew swiftly and safely before
the vessel went down was a great achievement.