Trawler crews rescued

Seven fishing crew members were rescued in two incidents off the south and west coasts yesterday morning.

Seven fishing crew members were rescued in two incidents off the south and west coasts yesterday morning.

The 19-metre vessel, Christ Marie, ran up on rocks with three people on board at 6 a.m. yesterday, according to Valentia Coast Guard. The three were taken on board another fishing vessel, the Coral Strand, and the vessel subsequently sank.

Several hours later the Irish Coast Guard's Shannon-based helicopter rescued four crew from the 25-metre steel trawler, Shearwater II, after a fire broke out on board some 58 miles west-north-west of Loop Head, Co Clare, at about 10 a.m.

The four crew had taken to the liferaft when the helicopter arrived and were taken to hospital.