A multi-agency search is under way off the northwest coast after a UK naval support crew member was reported missing this morning.
The Coast Guard’s Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Malin Head received a distress alert from a UK Naval support vessel before 9am.
The alert was for a missing crew member on board, last seen about 10.30pm last night.
The vessel was located north of the island of Toraigh off Co Donegal when the alert was raised.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said the Malin Head Coast Guard is co-ordinating the search for the missing crew member in the sea off the northwest coast between Toraigh and Oileán sa Tuaidh off Béal an Mhuirthead in north west Co Mayo.
The search from the air is being conducted by the Coast Guard’s fixed-wing plane, Rescue 120F, based in Shannon Airport; Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118, based in Sligo; and the Irish Air Corps plane CASA 284.
A search is also being co-ordinated at sea by the UK Naval support vessel and three RNLI all-weather lifeboats based at An Baile Glas, Árainn Mhór and Lough Swilly, alongside other vessels.
A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “Following an incident involving an individual from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary off the coast of Ireland, the Royal Navy is assisting in a search and rescue operation led by the Irish authorities with assistance from the RNLI.”