FOUR fishermen were rescued off Ardglass on Monday night after their fishing boat went aground at the mouth of the harbour.
The Kilkeel-based clam boat, the Moyuna, ran aground on rocks several hundred yards from the harbour at 11.30pm sparking a Mayday call from the skipper and a rescue operation from the emergency services.
The four-man crew, who had travelled from the Isle of Man, took to a life raft and were picked up within 15 minutes by another fishing boat, the Three Coins, and landed in Ardglass. The men did not require medical attention.
Portaferry lifeboat and the South Down Coastguard team were despatched to Ardglass and carried out an examination of the vessel to establish the extent of any damage.
The vessel was eventually refloated on the rising tide at 4.30pm and taken into the harbour. An examination confirmed there was only minor damage.
South Down MP, Margaret Ritchie, said the community will be relieved the fishermen were rescued after the accident.
“We must commend the four fishermen for their quick actions in deploying
their life raft and the crew of Three Coins for their successful rescue of
the men. The Coastguard was also deployed and dispatched a mayday call to
all vessels in the area,” she said.
“This incident highlights the dangers of life at sea and the continuing need
for our local Coastguard to respond to these calls for help from our local
fishing fleet, using their local knowledge and expertise.