Two fishermen who fell into the sea after their fishing trawler capsized off Berry Head in Devon yesterday were given immediate first aid by a supply ship to the Royal Navy.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, Wave Knight was called to the scene by the Portland Coastguard to assist in the search after another trawler, The Girl Rona, raised the alarm just after 11.30am.
The Sarah Jayne, a 15m beam trawler, capsized along with three of her crew – two of which were pulled out of the water by The Girl Rona and treated for water emersion on board Wave Knight.
The search for the third man is continuing with Torbay and Exmouth all-weather lifeboats taking the lead.
After giving the men initial first aid the patients were then airlifted to hospital by the Portland Maritime Coastguard Agency helicopter. Their present condition is not known.
RFA Wave Knight has now been called off the search and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has now arrived in Brixham to begin an inquiry.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, September 13, 2012; Image: Royal Navy