Coast Guard saves 12 as fishing vessel takes on water off West Cork coast

Twelve crew members were airlifted and rescued after their fishing vessel began taking on water near Dursey Head

The Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter R115. File picture: Domnick Walsh

Twelve people have been rescued by the Coast Guard following a major operation off the coast of West Cork.

The incident occurred shortly before 6 a.m. on Wednesday, after Valentia Coast Guard received a Mayday signal from the fishing vessel ‘Radoche Tercero’, which was taking on water 53 nautical miles southwest of Dursey Head.

The Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter R115, fixed-wing aircraft 120F, and lifeboats from Castletownbere and Baltimore were dispatched to the scene.

The crew were evacuated to a life raft and picked up by another fishing vessel, ‘Punteareas Uno’. They are being escorted to Castletownbere and are expected to reach the pier at around 3.30pm.

"The crew were recovered safely and did not require any medical attention," a Department of Transport spokesperson said.