Search continues after cargo ship sinks in Irish sea
Five crewman of the Swanland cargo ship are still missing, after the vessel sank in the Irish Sea this morning. Emergency services, including Prince William, successfully rescued two of the crew.
The Swanland cargo ship broadcast a may-day signal at 2am this morning when its hull cracked 20 miles north west of Llyn peninsula in north Wales.
Gale force winds had battered the Irish coastline and its believed this was the reason the ship ran into trouble.
Rescue ships and helicopters from the Coastguard and the RNLI were sent to the scene and managed to rescue two of the crew from the stormy waters.
The body of one of the crewman was discovered, but there is no sign of the remaining five sailors.
Jim Green, from Holyhead Coastguard, said they were “very concerned” about the remaining crew. He said:
“We know that at least some of them are wearing immersion suits and have strobe lighting with them, however sea conditions are challenging at best.”
He added that the 81-metre cargo carrier was carrying 3000 tonnes of limestone but it appears to have sunk.
Prince of Wales co-piloting rescue helicopter
The two members of the Two members of the Russian crew who were rescued were pulled from the water soon after the alarm was raised.
They were then airlifted to safety by a Sea King helicopter co-piloted by the Prince of Wales.
The men were taken to RAF Valley, where the Prince is stationed, and then later taken to hospital in Bangor for precautionary checks.
Two search and rescue helicopters from RAF Valley were sent to help with the operation, these have now been replaced by helicopters from RAF Chivenor and the Irish Coastguard.
Lifeboat crews from RNLI Phwllheli and Porthdinllaen are assisting in the search.
A RNLI spokeswoman said; “Porthdinllaen all-weather lifeboat was launched in gale force winds and rough seas at 2.30am to a cargo vessel in distress with a damaged hull. Phwllheli all-weather lifeboat was also launched.
“A short while later the 80 metre cargo ship sank. A helicopter from RAF Valley rescued two of its crew. The two RNLI lifeboats, along with four search and rescue helicopters and two other commercial boats, are searching for the remaining crew.”
Previous trouble
The Swanland cargo ship ran into trouble a few months ago when it almost ran aground onto rocks at Lizard Point in Cornwall.
The ship suffered engine failure in high winds as it carried a cargo of stone in the early hours of August 20.
As it drifted towards the rocks, the skipper had to be persuaded to take the help of an emergency towing vessel, and they were towed into safety less than 1.5 nautical miles from Lizard Point.