MALIN HEAD, CO DONEGAL — A significant multi-agency search operation is underway off the northwest coast of Ireland after a crew member from a UK Naval support vessel was reported missing this morning.
The search was launched after the Coast Guard’s Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in Malin Head received a distress alert from the UK vessel just before 9:00 AM. The missing person, a crew member, was last seen around 10:30 PM last night.
- Location: The vessel was situated north of Tory Island (Toraigh) off the coast of County Donegal when the alarm was raised.
- Search Area: Malin Head Coast Guard is coordinating the search effort in the sea between Tory Island and Eagle Island (Oileán sa Tuaidh) off Béal an Mhuirthead in northwest Co Mayo.
- Assets:
- Air Search: Involves the Coast Guard’s fixed-wing plane (Rescue 120F) from Shannon, the Coast Guard helicopter (Rescue 118) from Sligo, and the Irish Air Corps plane (CASA 284).
- Sea Search: Includes the UK Naval support vessel, and three RNLI all-weather lifeboats based at Ballyglass (An Baile Glas), Arranmore Island (Árainn Mhór), and Lough Swilly, alongside other participating vessels.
The Department of Transport confirmed that the comprehensive search remains active in the vast area off the northwest coast.
