Sea rescue

AN operation was launched last night to rescue crew on a fishing vessel which had caught fire.

A helicopter was scrambled to rescue 10 of the 16-strong Spanish crew while the remainder stayed behind and tried to put out the blaze.

The fire broke out in two cabins of the Shark, a 33-metre-long Longliner fishing vessel, and early reports suggested the flames had been confined to the accommodation area.

The Scottish vessel, registered in Troon, Ayrshire, was off the north-west coast of Ireland but the rescue operation was being coordinated by Clyde Coastguard.

A helicopter from Sligo in the Republic of Ireland and lifeboat from Arranmore, Co Donegal, were sent to the scene.