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Six missing, two rescued as ship sinks off north Wales | |
(40 minutes later) | |
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 81-metre (265 ft) carrier, the Swanland, raised the alarm at about 02:00 GMT. | |
They reported the hull was thought to have cracked in bad weather and the ship was taking on water. | |
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 |
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. | |
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. | |
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. |