Three fishermen were dramatically rescued by the Rosslare RNLI this morning, two and a half miles off Carnsore point.
The lifeboat was launched from Rosslare Harbour at 5.20am after being alerted that a 23-metre fishing vessel Choimh Ula, was taking on water.
The fishermen were taken to safety just moments before their vessel capsized and sank.
The fishermen had boarded their own liferaft after it had been deemed to unsafe for the lifeboat to take them off the vessel directly.
The liferaft was towed clear of the boat before the men could be taken onboard the Rosslare lifeboat and moments later, the fishing vessel sank.
Rosslare RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Authority Dave Maloney said, ” The crew of the fishing vessel were extremely lucky. The lifeboat was on scene very quickly and wasted no time in getting them to safety. While weather conditions were moderate the fishing vessel was rolling violently and therefore the lifeboat crew had to act swiftly to ensure the safety of the men. By using the liferaft and towing it clear of the vessel we were able to ensure that the crew were safely taken aboard the Rosslare lifeboat moments before the vessel sank.”
The lifeboat returned to Rosslare Harbour at 6.30am with the crew from the fishing vessel.
The fishermen, from Castletownbere in county Cork, Valentia in county Kerry and Poland were unhurt and did not need medical assistance.