Lifeboat rescues fishermen off Donegal coast

Two fishermen have been pulled to safety after their open-topped boat crashed onto rocks near Ireland’s most northerly headland.

The pair were in a 22ft vessel in the Atlantic Ocean, off Trawbreaga Bay, near Malin Head, in Co Donegal, when it struck a reef this afternoon.

They sent out a Mayday distress call when the boat began taking on water.

The Irish Coast Guard scrambled its helicopter to the scene from Sligo, while three lifeboats from Greencastle and Lough Swilly were also launched.

It is understood both fishermen are safe and well.

They were taken onto the Lough Swilly inshore lifeboat before being transferred to a Coast Guard vessel.

Rescue crews are assessing the extent of the damage to the fishing boat to determine if it can be salvaged.

Conditions in the area are said to be “not bad”, with force three winds, a calm sea and good visibility.