Search For Egyptian Fisherman Continues

A search for a fisherman missing off the west Cork coast is in progress this morning, resuming at first light.

The man, an Egyptian in his 30s, fell overboard the Irish fishing boat, the Janireh, 11 miles southwest of the Fastnet Lighthouse at around 2am yesterday.

The Naval Service patrol ship LE Emer was co-ordinating the search but has since left the effort. The search is however continuing with an Irish Coast Guard helicopter, RNLI lifeboats from Baltimore and Castletownbere and local fishing vessels.

The crew of the RNLI's lifeboat Hilda Jarrett and the Inshore Lifeboat Bessie, were launched within minutes, according to the organization yesterday. They proceeded to where the stricken 23 metre fishing boat and her crew of three had been fishing.

The twin engined RIB, which is designed to provide a rapid response to emergencies, arrived first on scene at a point 21 miles Southwest of Baltimore, followed 20 minutes later by the all-weather lifeboat. Both boats commenced a search of the area, alongside other trawlers that had responded to the alert. They were joined later by the RNLI lifeboat based at Castletownbere and the Navy vessel the LE Emer.

Crewmen from the first lifeboat were put on board the fishing boat to assist with recovery of fishing gear and to secure a tow.

After the incident, the Irish-registered vessel was towed to Baltimore harbour with a disabled propeller.

An Air Corps Casa maritime patrol aircraft offered additional assistance and the search area was expanded to 300 square miles.

(DW/BMcC)