Five French trawlermen were released from hospital in Cornwall last night, safe and well, after an ordeal at sea during which they had to abandon their vessel and take to a life-raft.
Valentia Radio in Co Kerry, Brest Radio in France and the Falmouth Coastal Service in Britain became involved after the Genesty sent out a distress call saying it was taking on water and was in imminent danger of sinking.
The five-member crew took to a life-raft about 80 miles south of the Cork coast and 60 miles off Land's End in Cornwall shortly after 2.30 p.m.
A helicopter from the Irish Marine Rescue Service, which flew over the area, located the life-raft. A Sea King helicopter from Wales was then alerted.
The Sea King picked up the five crewmen without difficulty and flew them to a hospital at Truro in Cornwall.
At one point the Naval Service vessel LE Aoife was diverted towards the crippled French trawler.