Two people rescued by Irish Coast Guard after fishing vessel sinks off coast of Louth

The Irish Coast Guard successfully located and rescued a fishing vessel which sank off the coast of Louth early on Thursday morning, 29 May. 

The R116 helicopter rushed to the aid of the two-person vessel after it had sank just off Drogheda shortly before midnight. 

The crew, who thankfully had been wearing lifejackets, were located and rescued from the water. Both crew members were immediately transferred to the care of the HSE. 

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According to the statement from the Department of Transport: "The Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Dublin was alerted shortly before midnight following the detection of an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) transmission.

"MRCC Dublin immediately tasked the R116 helicopter, Drogheda Coast Guard Unit, and Clogherhead RNLI to the area. The Coast Guard helicopter was conducting overnight training at the time it was tasked and arrived quickly on the scene. The helicopter used its Night Vision Infra-Red System, night vision goggles and other search tools to locate and recover the two casualties from the water."

They concluded: "The casualties, who had been wearing life jackets, were immediately transferred to the care of the HSE. The activation of the vessel’s EPIRB and the use of NVIS technology were key aspects of this successful rescue."