FISHING VESSEL CREW TAKE TO LIFERAFT

The five strong crew of the Fraserburgh registered fishing vessel 'Hope' abandoned ship to a liferaft after they issued a speedy mayday when they realised a major fire had broken out in the engine room with the vessel in a position 140 miles east of Aberdeen.

The mayday was picked up by Aberdeen Coastguard who issued a mayday relay broadcast and several stand by and supply vessels in the area responded.

Aberdeen Coastguard scrambled the RAF rescue helicopter from Boulmer, which is expected on scene at around 7 p.m., meanwhile one of the vessels in the area of the liferaft will pick up the crew.

There are no reported injuries at present and it is expected that the helicopter will airlift the five men from the stand by vessel and land them safely.

Aberdeen Coastguard Deputy District Controller, Bill McFadyen commented:

"The crew had to make the mayday call in a very limited time, we were not able to get many details, but crucially the Coastguard Watch Officer was able to get the position of the vessel before communications were lost. "

"We hope to have the crew safely back on land within two to three hours."