Dutch Navy calls in Coastguard after capsized vessel spotted off Barra

The Stornoway Coastguard was scrambled yesterday by a call from a Royal Netherlands Naval warship that reported an upturned vessel.

HNLMS Evertsen noticed the capsized catamaran in the water about 40 miles west of Barra on the Western Isles where it was on exercise.

The UK Coastguard said all information points to it being an Irish fishing boat named the Aisling Patrick that foundered on April 10.

The vessel ran into difficulties about 15 miles off Eagle Island off the coast of County Mayo where it capsized in force six winds.

Three crewmembers went into the water with a lifeboat after sending a ‘mayday’ signal triggering a multi-agency response.

They were winched on board an Irish Coastguard helicopter about an hour after going into the water and taken to Sligo hospital.

One man, John Healy, later died.

It is understood the Aisling Patrick was part of a fleet of north Mayo crab fishing vessels about 15 miles off Eagle Island when it capsized.

It then drifted approximately 200 miles north where it was spotted by HNLMS Evertsen.

It is believed any recovery of the vessel would be the responsibility of the insurance company.