Liverpool Coastguard were alerted to a `mayday' signal at 2:15 a.m. on 15 February 2001 to the Newry registered fishing vessel `Audentia' with four crew on board which reported she was in danger of sinking 15 miles north west of Peel on the Isle of Man after her engine room flooded.

After the mayday signal was relayed into the area by the Coastguard various other vessels responded and began making their way to the scene. The Peel lifeboat from the Isle of Man was requested to launch, as was the Donaghadee lifeboat from Northern Ireland. A fast workboat `Ben Loyal' was first on scene and managed to take off all four men from the fast sinking fishing vessel. It was then considered too dangerous for anyone to go back onboard and attempt any salvage of the vessel, and she sank at about 4.00 a.m.

Paul Parkes, Liverpool Coastguard Watch Manager said after the rescue, "The `Ben Loyal' has now landed all four crew ashore at Portavogie and fortunately no injuries have been reported. We would like to thank the crews of all those vessels who responded so quickly to the Coastguard's call for assistance given the speed of the sinking.

"The weather overnight locally was fairly calm with south westerly winds force 3 with a slight to moderate sea. The UK Hydrographic Office have been informed of the site of wreck and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch have also been informed."