Guiding Star sunk Today Southeast of Shetlands

Peterhead based fishing boat, Guiding Star H360 has sunk 72 kilometres southeast of the Shetland Islands.

All eight crew members from the trawler are reported safe and on board its sister ship Guiding Light and are heading towards Lerwick for a medical check-up.

Another vessel, the Grampian Freedom, a standby safety ship, was close by and assisted in the rescue of the crew.

The incident is believed to have occurred when the Guiding Star collided with its sister ship, the Guiding Light, during a fishing operation.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) confirmed a rescue had been launched, saying:

Eight crew members have been rescued after a fishing vessel sank 72 kilometres southeast of Shetland.

The crew declared a mayday before abandoning ship to a life-raft following a collision with another vessel.

HM Coastguard coordinated the response after being alerted at approximately 12pm today, 6 October.

The Coastguard helicopter based at Sumburgh was a key part of the rescue effort, with rescue teams from both Sumburgh and Lerwick waiting to support if required. Other vessels nearby also responded to calls for help.

All crew members were accounted for after being picked up by assisting vessels and the Coastguard helicopter.