MFV Sarah Jayne sinks - one crew missing

A major search was under way this afternoon after a trawler sank off Berry Head.

BM249 Sarah Jayne rigged for scalloping

One fisherman was said to be missing while two others were rescued by another vessel. They were brought ashore by helicopter and were recovering at torbay Hospital.
MCA Press release issued at 1330

Local fishing boats, lifeboats and merchant ships search for the missing fisherman from the Sarah Jayne

Torbay and Exmouth lifeboats were at sea searching the area. Other fishing boats from Brixham were scouring the area in the hope of finding the missing man.

The Betty G II and the Sparkling Star III were among the fishing boats taking part in the search late this afternoon.

Other boats including the Sasha Emiel put out from Brixham around 4pm to join in the search.

The capsized boat has been identified as the Sarah Jayne, a 49 foot beam trawler. It is believed to be registered in Exmouth but may have been working out of Brixham.

The RNLI confirmed that the search was taking place two and a half miles east of Berry Head.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Knight was making its way to the scene as the search continued.

The Coastguard helicopter from Portland was also involved in the operation, searching the area where the trawler went down.

Brixham Coastguard first picked up a distress alert from the fishing vessel Girl Rhona at 11:24am, informing them that another fishing vessel had capsized 2.5 miles off Berry Head and they had managed to retrieve two of the three fishermen from the water.

A Coastguard spokesman said: "The Coastguard Rescue helicopter was scrambled from Portland and the Torbay RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch.

"A Mayday broadcast was put out to shipping in the area and a number of vessels including the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Knight have offered assistance in the search currently being coordinated by Brixham Coastguard."

The capsized vessel is a 15m beam trawler operating out of Brixham.

Story courtesy of ThisIsSouthDevon.co.uk