Yacht Crew Saved

A yacht with 16 people on board has been rescued after it began sinking in heavy seas 12 miles off the coast of Fraserburgh. The Swedish training vessel Biscaya Av Vindalso issued a mayday call in the early hours of Monday after it began taking in water. Fraserburgh lifeboat and an RAF helicopter were scrambled. A rig support vessel also assisted and the vessel was escorted into Fraserburgh harbour at about 5am.

Lough Rescue By Mobile

Stormy weather has led to a dramatic rescue taking place in Northern Ireland. The coastguard was forced to trace a distressed vessel in Co Fermanagh by following its mobile phone signal. A 999 call from the Motor Cruiser 'Wee Rascal' on Lough Erne called on all the investigative powers of Belfast Coastguard as the vessel wasn't even close to its reported position. Desperate measures followed when, despite an extensive search of the area around its reported position neither the Enniskillen RNLI Inshore Lifeboat nor Erne Coastguard Rescue Teams could find the vessel. Because the vessel had no flares, flash lights or VHF Radio on board to show rescuers where it was, Belfast Coastguard resorted to mobile phone technology. A locator iPhone application finally gave rescuers the vital latitude and longitude they needed. The vessel was finally located 25 miles away from its reported position, dangerously drifting amongst the rocky shoreline off Gubnagole Point - also known as Eagle Point - in the exposed Broad Reach being battered by high winds and waves. It was brought away from the rocks by the skill of the Enniskillen RNLI Inshore Lifeboat crew and taken to the safety of Belleek marina.

Transport Police Appointments

The Transport Minister Theresa Villiers announced today the appointment of Elizabeth France to the British Transport Police Authority, and the reappointments of Jeroen Weimar and Lew Adams. Also reappointed is Robin Gisby. He will remain with the Authority for a further 12 months, at which point an open competition will be held for another member. Theresa Villiers said: "I am pleased to welcome Elizabeth France to the Authority and that Jeroen Weimar, Lew Adams and Robin Gisby have all agreed to serve further terms. The Authority has a vital role to play in helping the British Transport Police to deliver the excellent service it provides to all those who work and travel on the railway. I am grateful to all those whose appointments I am announcing today for their contribution to that process."

(BMcC/GK)