The Fv-Gure-Andre: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On the afternoon of June 2, 2023, the fishing trawler 'Grand Saint Bernard', carrying a crew of 14, found itself hard aground off the rugged coast of Dursey Island in West Cork. The Valentia Coast Guard received the distress signal at approximately 2:30 p.m., prompting an immediate response which included the deployment of the Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 115, as well as the All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) from the RNLI Castletownbere and the local Castletownbere Coast Guard unit. At the time of the incident, weather conditions were relatively favorable, with calm winds and a moderate swell. As the lifeboat crew approached, they discovered the trawler listing dangerously and rocking back and forth. The vessel's crew, who were on deck wearing lifejackets, were at risk due to the precarious angle in which the trawler was sitting. In a swift decision aimed at crew safety, 10 fishermen were airlifted from the vessel. Subsequently, with the aid of local fishermen and a push from the lifeboat, the trawler was successfully refloated. It was then towed back to Castletownbere by a tugboat. For further details and visuals, check out the report: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2023/june/02/castletownbere-rnli-involved-in-rescue-of-14-people-after-trawler-runs-aground.