It is understood that both of the men were injured after a rope snapped on board a Spanish fishing vessel on Thursday morning
Cathal Ryan Reporter
15:34, 15 Jan 2026Updated 15:47, 15 Jan 2026
A fisherman has sadly lost his life, while another has been seriously injured on board a fishing vessel off the Kerry coast.
Just after 9am this morning the Irish Coast Guard received a request from the Spanish Coast Guard to provide assistance to the Spanish fishing vessel Novo Alborada 30nm southwest of Valentia Island.
Two crew members onboard had been seriously injured when a rope snapped. One of the crew members died on board the vessel before he could be treated.
The Marine Rescue Coordination Centre at Valentia initiated a search and rescue plan utilising the Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter R115 and the Fixed Wing aircraft from Shannon. The Rescue Helicopter R118 from Sligo was also tasked in a support role.
The Coast Guard Fixed Wing 120F facilitated the aircraft coordinator role on scene with support communications back to the Coordination Centre in Valentia.
Sea conditions were described as “challenging” with waves of between five and six metres. R118 from Sligo was able to complete winching operations and transfer the the injured crew member to Cork University Hospital.
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