Major Search Operation Underway
A large-scale search and rescue mission is continuing off the north-west coast of Ireland for a missing UK navy crew member. The individual was last seen on board their vessel at approximately 10.30pm on Friday.
Multi-Agency Response Coordinated
The Irish Coast Guard's maritime rescue sub-centre at Malin is leading the coordinated search effort. The alarm was raised when the centre received a distress call from a UK naval support vessel before 9am on Saturday.
The extensive search is concentrated in the sea between Tory Island, County Donegal, and Eagle Island, County Mayo. A significant number of assets from various organisations are involved in the operation.
Assets Deployed in the Search
The following resources are currently committed to locating the missing crew person:
- Irish Coast Guard aircraft, including the fixed-wing plane Rescue 120F from Shannon and helicopter Rescue 118 from Sligo.
- An Irish Air Corps plane, CASA 284.
- Irish Naval Service vessels.
- UK naval vessels.
- Three RNLI all-weather lifeboats from Ballyglass, Arranmore Island, and Lough Swilly.
- Other vessels of opportunity in the area.
The search, which involves both aerial and marine components, remains ongoing as authorities work against the clock.
