UK mounts rescue operation for Spanish trawler in distress in North Atlantic storm
{{date|January 12, 2005}}

This afternoon the {{w|RAF}} launched an operation to rescue nineteen sailors from a [[Spain|Spanish]] trawler in difficulties in a North {{w|Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic}} storm.

Radio contact with the FV ''Cibeles'' was lost yesterday evening at 2030 UTC when the crew reported to the ship's owners that they were in trouble. Last night, [[UK]] Coastguard picked up a satellite emergency beacon signal as winds reached speeds of over 70 mph.

This morning a RAF Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft located the ship adrift 180 miles off the {{w|Scottish Western Isles}}. A nearby tanker, the ''Aegean Spirit'', diverted with the intention of taking the trawler in tow and arrived at 1500 UTC. 

However, the tanker was unable to take the trawler on tow, and with no other vessels capable of towing the ship nearby, the Coastguard Rescue Seeking helicopter "Mike Uniform" was launched from Stornoway to extract the crew. The tanker remained on scene to offer some protection from the weather, currently reported as gale force winds and rough seas.

===References===
*{{source|url=http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-dops_pr_newsroom-press-releases-release?mcga_news_id=2788&month=1&year=2005 |title=COASTGUARD HELICOPTER “MIKE UNIFORM” TO EVACUATE CREW FROM SPANISH FISHING VESSEL |author=Joanne Groenenberg |pub=UK Coastguard |date=January 12, 2005}}

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[[Category:January 12, 2005]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Spain]]
[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
[[Category:Transport]]
[[Category:Merchant shipping]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Economy and business]]
This afternoon the Spanish trawler in difficulties in a North
January 12, 2005 United Kingdom Spain Disasters and accidents Transport Merchant shipping Europe Atlantic Ocean Economy and business