SHETLAND COASTGUARD ALERTED TO SINKING FISHING VESSEL

17 May 2003 11:15 AM

At just after midnight Shetland Coastguard received an emergency radio call from the fishing vessel `Neptune LK 171', a 1991 built 105 gross ton 26 metre Lerwick registered trawler, who's crew reported that they were taking in water 30 miles north north west of Muckle Flugga in Shetland, the most northerly lighthouse in Britain.

Before losing communications for a short while, the four crew were able to report that both their engine room and fish hold had flooded, that they were low in the water and that they were preparing to take to their liferaft.

Shetland Coastguard then began to make emergency broadcasts into the area for immediate assistance whilst scrambling the Coastguard Rescue helicopter `Oscar Charlie'. Communications were then re-established with the crew via their hand held VHF radio and shortly after a Faroese trawler and two other Scottish based vessels, the `Caspian' and the `Nordfjordr' responded to the emergency call. The Faroese trawler was first on scene and was able to assist the crew aboard from their liferaft.

Dave Phillips, Shetland Coastguard Watch Manager said:

"Fortunately no injuries have been reported and all four crew are now reported safe aboard the Faroese trawler. The liferaft has been retrieved along with the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) Conditions are reported to be good locally with south easterly winds and a slight swell and good visibility."