Four crew abandon fishing vessel after fire breaks out – Fishupdate.com

Four crew abandon fishing vessel after fire breaks out Published:  24 August, 2007

FOUR fishermen were rescued today after their County Cork based vessel caught fire.

Milford Haven Coastguard co-ordinated assistance

to the crew of the fishing vessel Gismonde, which

was on fire 40 miles south west of St David’s Head.

In conjunction with the Irish Coastguard, a Waterford based rescue

helicopter R117, was scrambled to the scene. A nearby fishing vessel

the Ocean Pearl after gathering their nets in also went to the

assistance of the Gismonde crew. The weather on scene at the time

was northerly winds with a slight to moderate sea and with moderate

to good visibility.

By 10.45 this morning, the crew of the Ocean Pearl reported to the

Coastguard that they had picked up all four crew from the life raft

of the Gismonde and that several were suffering from smoke

inhalation. At the same time, Falmouth Coastguard reported having

received the emergency position indicating radio beacon ‘hit’ from

the EPIRB released from the distressed Gismonde.

When the helicopter arrived, it reported that the County Cork based

Gismonde was totally ablaze and they were able to winch the

recovered crew from the deck of the Ocean Pearl before flying them

to Waterford Hospital and any medical treatment they may require.

In conjunction with the Irish Coastguard authorities, the position of

the – by now – fire gutted vessel with its fishing gear still down

was passed to the UK Hydrographer for local alerting and contact was

also made with the owner of the vessel to identify how much fuel was

still on board the vessel and identifying any gas canisters.

Contact was also made with the warship HMS Mersey which proceeded

to stand by the wreck as a guard ship in the short term.

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