News / Crew safe after boat went on fire
THE CREW of the Banff registered fishing boat Denarius has been airlifted to Shetland after the vessel went on fire, around 60 miles south east of Sumburgh.
The six men were taken to the Gilbert Bain Hospital for a check-up after landing at the Clickimin landing site at just before 6pm on Monday. They have since left hospital again.
Shetland Coastguard was alerted to the emergency when they received a transmission from a distress radio beacon, two hours earlier.
Unable to make contact with the Denarius, Shetland Coastguard tasked the search and rescue helicopter 102 to go to the vessel. The coastguard also issued a mayday broadcast to shipping in the vicinity.
Several vessels including the Maersk Responder responded to the mayday and offered assistance in the search. A Bond helicopter was also launched.
Shortly after arriving on scene, the coastguard helicopter winched the six crew (three Scottish and three foreign nationals) from a life raft.
The crew was described as uninjured, but walking wounded.
Shetland Coastguard watch manager David Robinson said: “The ability of the crew to activate their EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) in this incident was absolutely crucial as we were immediately passed information on their location, vessel name and shore contact which, in the absence of the ability to communicate directly with the vessel, meant that we were able to quickly send help to their position.
“We would like to thank the crew of the several vessels and helicopter that helped in locating the Denarius and providing on scene assistance.”
The 22 metre wooden vessel is currently still drifting, around 60 miles east of Orkney.
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