At 3.03 pm January 16, Belfast Coastguard received a mayday call from the crew of a fishing vessel on VHF Channel 16 (International Distress and Calling Channel) reporting that they had smoke coming from the engine room and that they were unable to access the wheelhouse.
Belfast Coastguard requested a helicopter from ARCC Kinloss and requested the launch of the Arran and Campbeltown RNLI lifeboats. The Arran and Campbeltown Coastguard rescue team has also been called.
The four crew of the fishing vessel ’Amy Harris’ were able to communicate with Belfast Coastguard using their mobile telephone to report that they were at the rear of the vessel and that the helicopter was overhead.
The helicopter winched the crew of the fishing vessel off their burning boat and landed them all safely at Campbeltown.
The Campbeltown Lifeboat remain in the area south of Arran Island monitoring the burning vessel.
Ian Graham, Watch Officer, Belfast Coastguard said:
“The fishermen did the correct procedure in making a distress call to the Coastguard so we could call out the appropriate rescue services to go their aid. They remained on the vessel, until the helicopter arrived to assist within twenty minutes, but they made ready their liferaft as a precaution.”
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Naval Today Staff, January 17, 2013; Image: mca