THE CAPTAIN of the Isle of Inishmore, the Pembroke to Rosslare ferry, spotted a 20-foot fishing boat capsized off the coast of Wales on Sunday afternoon (Aug 30)
The ferry, under the command of Captain Gerry Burns, was returning from Pembroke Dock to Rosslare when the ship’s lookout spotted the upturned black and blue hull of the Orkney
Longliner drifting some 150 miles from her home port of Kinsale.
At the time of the discovery at 4 30 pm, Capt Burns said: “We didn’t know if there was anyone on board when we found her.
“The hull was conspicuous at sea in the good weather due to a large red mooring buoy still attached to its bow.”
The ferry altered course and went to investigate. News of the discovery was relayed to the Coastguard and Captain Burns dispatched one of the ships rescue boats. The ferry stood by for an hour until the St Davids Lifeboat arrived on scene. The lifeboat was able to right the fishing boat, it has been confirmed.
It is understood the boat’s name is ‘Braveheart’ and that she broke her moorings in the West Cork harbour during Storm Ellen on August 21st. The owners of the boat have been contacted.
