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SIX fishermen were plucked from a stricken trawler yesterday in a joint Naval Service-RNLI rescue off the East Cork coast.
The crew of the Cork-registered trawler, Resplendent, issued an emergency alert at lunchtime yesterday when they discovered water pouring into their vessel's hull.
The plight of the trawler - which was about 10 miles off the coast - sparked a major rescue effort with two Naval Service ships, the LE Aisling and LE Orla, racing to the scene, along with the RNLI Ballycotton lifeboat.
The Shannon-based Irish Coastguard's Sikorsky helicopter was also placed on alert.
The six fishermen were taken off the Resplendent while extra pumps were placed on board in a desperate attempt to save the trawler.
Good visibility, mild sea conditions and the quick response of the Ballycotton lifeboat all helped rescuers to avoid a fatal disaster.
Authorities were last night trying to escort the Resplendent back into port.
Marine engineers will examine the damaged vessel if it makes it back to harbour to establish the cause of the problem.
Ralph Riegel