Fisherman airlifted from Faeroe Islands trawler off Cork coast

RTÉ has reported that Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 was involved in the medevac of a fisherman from a Faroes trawler yesterday (Monday).

The 22-year-old fisherman is being treated at Cork University Hospital after being hit by heavy chains and falling on steelwork on board the trawler Arctic Voyager, 400km off the Cork coast.

The Faroe Islands’ Marine Rescue Coordination Centre first alerted the Irish Coast Guard to the accident on the pelagic trawler. The fisherman was airlifted off the trawler by the crew of the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117. The operation was coordinated by the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre on Valentia Island off the Kerry coast.

The Waterford-based helicopter was tasked by Valentia and flew west of Dursey Island off the Cork coast to rendezvous with the 70 metre Faroe Island registered trawler.

The airlift took place 10km off Dursey Island just after midday on Monday during high winds and in rough sea conditions, with swells of up to seven metres.

The Arctic Voyager had steamed closer to the coastline to come within the range of Rescue 117.