Ex-Newlyn beam trawler sinks 17 miles SW of Bolt Head

The Chloe T before she was sold away to Brixham seen here leaving Newlyn 

Five crew were rescued from a liferaft this evening after their fishing vessel Chloe T began to sink 17 nautical miles south west of Bolt Head.

Brixham Coastguard received a distress alert from the vessel at just before 4.20pm. The vessel reported that they were taking on water in the engine room. They immediately sent the RNLI lifeboat based at Salcombe and the Royal Navy Rescue Helicopter from Culdrose to the scene. They broadcast a warning to vessels in the area asking vessels in the vicinity to head for the scene. Maersk Patras, Amber J, Brittany Ferry Armorique, Dart Angler and Lady Maureen responded.

After the fishing vessel lost power and the pumps failed all the crew of the Penzance based registered fishing vessel number TZ1186 took to the liferaft. The ferry Armorique and Maersk Partas reached the scene first and stood-by the liferaft until the helicopter arrived and winched the crew to safety. The five crew are now safely back on shore and Brixham Coastguard are liasing with the owner over salvage of the vessel.

Brixham Coastguard Watch Manager David Colmer said:

"The actions of this crew almost certainly resulted in them all being rescued from this dangerous situation. They called the Coastguard at an early stage, all wore lifejackets and took to the life raft when the situation onboard deteriorated."

the AIS shows the last 24 hours track and her position fishing SE of Plymouth...

included in the track image here is the track of the Brixham beam trawler Lady Maureen which went to her assistance.

As ever, the Coastguard service were the key element in seeing that five men were swiftly returned safely to the shore. It's still not too late to say no to the cuts.