#SAR ONGOING FOR MISSING SKIPPER AND CREW OF TRAWLER

An approximate position of the search area 100 miles east of the Farne Islands

Humber Coastguard is coordinating the search for the missing skipper and four crew of the trawler, ‘Ocean Way’. The trawler, was last heard from about 100 miles east of the Farne Islands.

The AIS track went out of range at 23:41 last night.

The emergency beacon from the vessel began transmitting earlier today and since then the Coastguard have been trying to contact the skipper and have also been broadcasting mayday relay messages which have been requesting all shipping to look out for the missing crew.

An RAF rescue helicopter is now on scene and so far two people have been found alive in the water and winched to safety. The Norwegian helicopter Rescue 1 will arrive on scene shortly to relieve the RAF rescue helicopter.

Mike Puplett, Humber Coastguard Watch Manager said:

“We will continue searching as long as necessary. We still have the benefit of  daylight and fairly favourable weather conditions for searching.”