Three crew were saved from a sinking vessel off the north-west coast yesterday in an air-and-sea rescue.
The Air Corps Dauphin helicopter from Finner Camp was called out by Malin Head Coast Guard at 1.10 a.m. when it heard the 38ft trawler Lady Christine was taking in water 35 miles north-west of Sligo.
The helicopter, which was flown by Commdt Donagh Verling and co-pilot Capt Dave Corcoran, arrived at 2 a.m., and the winchman, Cpl Ciaran Smith, was lowered on deck by winch operator, Sgt Jim O'Neill.
Capt Corcoran said that at one point the situation was very hazardous, with a 100kg pump swinging under the helicopter. The trawler was at right angles to the wind with no power and was affected by the helicopter's down draught, he explained.
However, the Arranmore lifeboat and a fishing vessel, the Silver King, had come to assist.
"At this point our fuel situation was critical, and so we left Cpl Smith on board the vessel while we made a hot refuel in Sligo airport," Capt Corcoran said.
When the helicopter returned 30 minutes later, the Arranmore lifeboat was attempting to move a pump across to the Lady Christine.
It managed to get the pump going but the vessel was still taking in water.
The helicopter then tried to lower its pump with its remaining hi-line, but at this point the vessel's skipper decided to abandon the trawler.
The three crew and the Air Corps winchman were taken on board the Arranmore lifeboat, and the Lady Christine sank within seven minutes.
No injuries were sustained by the crew.