VOLUNTEER crew from the RNLI’s Barrow station launched their all-weather lifeboat early this morning to rescue the crew of a small fishing vessel which was sinking approximately 2.5 miles west of Walney Island.

The request to launch the Lifeboat came from Holyhead Coastguard at 2.50am this morning.

A catamaran fishing vessel had collided with an offshore wind farm turbine, and was taking on water. It was reported that the vessel had a crew of three on board and that one of the crew had sustained a head injury as a result of the collision.

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The Barrow Lifeboat, ‘Grace Dixon’, was launched at 2.59am under the command of Coxswain Shaun Charnley with crew Jonny Long, Kate Lawty, Dave Kell, Mark Harper, Adam Cleasby and Alan Cleasby.

The lifeboat was alongside the stricken boat at 3.20am and by 3.27am all three crew had been transferred safely from the fishing vessel to the lifeboat.

A 58-year-old crew member of the stricken boat was transported him to Furness General Hospital.

The Lifeboat was then re-launched take it under tow.

John Falvey, Barrow Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: “The vessel was listing badly when the lifeboat arrived having taken on sea water. The crew were about to abandon the vessel but we transferred them safely to the lifeboat which then took them to Barrow Lifeboat Station so that the injured skipper could be treated at hospital. The lifeboat returned to deal with the damaged vessel which is currently under tow but in danger of sinking."