Searchers believe sunken fishing boat found

Searchers think they have discovered the location of the fishing boat in which seven Scottish fishermen are believed to have died on Tuesday night.

An investigation into an object located with sonar equipment at the bottom of the Irish Sea near the Isle of Man yesterday is continuing this morning. Liverpool coastguards believe it may be the Solway Harvester, a fishing vessel which sank in heavy seas on Tuesday.

A search for the boat's crew of seven fishermen, including two brothers and their cousin, was scaled down at 2.30 p.m. yesterday when coastguards concluded there was little hope of finding them alive.

The Dublin-based Irish Marine Rescue Services helicopter was involved in the search until midday yesterday and located oil and debris from the sunken boat. The Irish Navy's Le Ciara also took part.

The 21-metre boat disappeared in heavy seas off the Isle of Man on Tuesday night after putting out a distress call. The vessel's two life-rafts were discovered, leading to speculation that it sank rapidly.

The deputy district controller of Liverpool Coastguards, Mr Donald McDonald, who was co-ordinating the air and sea search, said yesterday: "Our units are at the end of their endurance and we are calling them back in. However, we will be keeping a presence in the area with merchant vessels."

Search efforts would concentrate on finding the boat on the seabed, he said. "There's always a slim chance and we will keep that hope open of finding crew alive. However, we must assume the worst - that all seven were lost on the boat last night."

The seven fishermen, from Whithorn in the south-west of Scotland, have been named as: Mr Andrew Craig Mills (29), skipper; his brother Mr Robin Mills (33); their cousin Mr David Mills (18); Mr Martin Milligan (26); Mr David Lyons (17); Mr John Murphy (22); and Mr Wesley Jolly (17).

Liverpool coastguard received a Mayday call from the Solway Harvester just after 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The vessel had called its sister boat, the Tobrach-n, at 5.40 p.m. to say it was heading for cover in Ramsey, Isle of Man, before heading home.

Coastguards said seas at the time were moderate to rough, with force five to six south-westerly winds, but they soon deteriorated to force nine winds.

The last signal from the vessel's emergency radio beacon came from a position 11 miles south-east of the Isle of Man and was relayed to coastguards at Clyde, who informed colleagues at Liverpool.