Fourteen crew members were brought to safety after the French-registered fishing trawler Fastnet went aground near Dingle on Sunday morning.
The 28 m bottom trawler, owned by a Spanish company, reported an engine failure soon after leaving Dingle Harbour. Weather and sea conditions then set the vessel onto rocks on the stretch of coast between Dingle Lighthouse and Binn Bán beach.
The Irish Coast Guard’s Valentia Marine Rescue Sub-centre took the call shortly after 11:30 a.m. and directed a response that included helicopter Rescue 115 from Shannon, fixed-wing aircraft Rescue 120F, the Valentia RNLI all-weather lifeboat, and the Dingle Coast Guard unit. Local response boats and the Navy patrol vessel George Bernard Shaw also assisted.
Crews attempted to secure a tow, but conditions near the shoreline prevented the trawler from being moved. With no safe alternative, Rescue 115 carried out a winching operation and lifted all 14 people ashore in two rotations. The National Ambulance Service conducted medical checks, and no injuries were reported.
Diesel traces were reported in the water close to the grounded vessel, prompting concerns about possible hull damage. The Irish Coast Guard said it will keep the site under observation during ongoing stormy conditions to reduce any environmental risk.
