Nine crew members were airlifted by the Shannon based Coast Guard helicopter (R115) from a fishing vessel that had gone aground off Dursey Island Co Cork this afternoon. Valentia Coast Guard was alerted to the vessel’s situation shortly after 3pm and immediately tasked the Coast Guard helicopter, Castletownbere All Weather Lifeboat and Castletownbere Coast Guard unit.

With assistance from the lifeboat, the fishing vessel (Grand St Bernard, registered in France) subsequently re-floated and is being towed to Casteltownbere by a commercial tug, where it is expected to arrive before 8pm. Upon arrival the vessel will be drydocked to enable a detailed hull inspection.