Trawler crew rescued after nets snag in propellor

Eight crew are on board a trawler being towed to shore in a rescue mission off the north-west coast today.

The Coast Guard stressed families of the fishermen had nothing to worry about after the Catherine R got nets caught in its propeller.

The vessel was trawling fishing grounds 17 miles north-west of Arranmore Island, off the Donegal coast, when it developed difficulties.

A lifeboat from Arranmore is towing the boat to Burtonport, where it is expected to reach shore at 5pm.

“We don’t anticipate any problems with the tow,” said Ian Scott, at the Malin Head Coast Guard Marine Rescue base.

“The weather is good at the moment. It is expected reach gale force eight later. That’s a slight cause for concern in case the tow breaks near the shore.

“The Coast Guard helicopter at Sligo is on standby purely as a precaution in case that happens, but everything is going fine and there is no cause for concern.”

The rescue co-ordinators are monitoring the movements of the trawler, which was fishing out of Greencastle, in Inishowen.

Mr Scott said the fishermen onboard were very experienced and tows such as this were not an irregular occurrence.