This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-15908292

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Six missing, two rescued as ship sinks in Irish Sea Six missing, two rescued as ship sinks off north Wales
(40 minutes later)
Six seamen are missing after a ship sank in the Irish Sea overnight but two people have been rescued. Six seamen are missing after a cargo vessel sank off the north Wales coast in gale force weather but two crew have been rescued.
The crew of the cargo vessel, the Swanland, called the coastguard in Holyhead, north Wales, around 0200 GMT on Sunday. The crew of the 81-metre (265 ft) carrier, the Swanland, raised the alarm at about 02:00 GMT.
The crew reported the hull was thought to have cracked in bad weather and the ship was taking on water. They reported the hull was thought to have cracked in bad weather and the ship was taking on water.
Jim Green, from Holyhead Coastguard, said: "We are very concerned for the safety of the other six crew members." The carrier, with 3,000 tonnes of limestone onboard, disappeared 30 miles north-west off the Lleyn peninsula.
Two RNLI lifeboats, with four search and rescue helicopters and two commercial boats, are searching for the remaining six crew.
Holyhead coastguard, who are co-ordinating the rescue, said they were very concerned for the missing men.
Jim Green, from the station, said: "We are very concerned for the safety of the other six crew members."
"We know that at least some of them are wearing immersion suits and have strobe lighting with them, however sea conditions are challenging at best," he added."We know that at least some of them are wearing immersion suits and have strobe lighting with them, however sea conditions are challenging at best," he added.
The coastguard sent out a mayday relay and several vessels responded and went to the scene to assist.The coastguard sent out a mayday relay and several vessels responded and went to the scene to assist.
When the vessels arrived, they found two liferafts and some floating debris.
Rough seas Rough seas
The bulk carrier, which was carrying 3,000 tonnes of limestone, appears to have sunk 20 miles north-west of the tip of the Lleyn peninsula. One helicopter from RAF Valley on Anglesey and another from Dublin Coastguard arrived at the scene, as well as RNLI lifeboats from Pwllheli and Porthdinllaen.
A helicopter from RAF Valley in north Wales and another from Dublin Coastguard arrived at the scene, as well as RNLI lifeboats from Pwllheli and Porthdinllaen. Two people who were clinging to liferafts were rescued and airlifted to RAF Valley on Anglesey. The search is continuing for the remaining six crew members.
Two people were rescued from the water and taken to RAF Valley but the search is ongoing for the remaining six crew members.
The coastguard report very difficult conditions in the dark with rough seas and high winds.The coastguard report very difficult conditions in the dark with rough seas and high winds.
In August 2010, the Swanland's engines failed and it came close to grounding on rocks off the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall.In August 2010, the Swanland's engines failed and it came close to grounding on rocks off the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall.
According to one shipspotting website, the vessel was built in the Netherlands and is owned by a company, Torbulk, in Grimsby.According to one shipspotting website, the vessel was built in the Netherlands and is owned by a company, Torbulk, in Grimsby.
RAF Valley is where Prince William is based as a search-and-rescue pilot but it is not clear if he was on duty this weekend.RAF Valley is where Prince William is based as a search-and-rescue pilot but it is not clear if he was on duty this weekend.