Search for missing trawler

A search operation was under way off the south-east coast tonight for a missing trawler.

Marine rescue services began searching the area around two miles south-east of Hook Head off the Wexford coast after receiving a distress signal just after 6pm from an Irish-registered trawler.

It is understood there are around four people on the trawler, which has an Irish skipper and operates out of Dunmore East harbour.

All attempts to contact the vessel have failed.

A spokesman for the Coastguard said: “We picked up an emergency beacon signal around four minutes after six o’clock. Another fishing vessel contacted us that was in the proximity. It had been in contact with the vessel. They lost contact with it and lost sight of its lights.”

Searchers reported spotting what appears to be debris in the area where the trawler was believed to have been fishing.

Lifeboats from Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay, as well as a helicopter based in Waterford, are taking part in the search.