Updated 1.43pm

THE RNLI HAS released dramatic footage showing the moment five fishermen were rescued from their sinking trawler off the Dublin coast this morning.

The fishermen’s vessel got into difficulty after running aground shortly after 5am.

The trawler is understood to have been carrying approximately 400 litres of diesel and 30 litres of lube oil when it sank.

Fingal County Council now says it is “monitoring” an area south of Balbriggan harbour for signs of possible pollution.

The subsequent rescue operation involved the Dublin-based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116, together with units from the RNLI  in Clogherhead, Co Louth, Skerries, and Howth, and Skerries Coast Guard unit.

The Skerries unit was first on the scene and set up a tow line but attempts to move the vessel failed.

“The result of the operation was five fishermen being rescued from the vessel that had gotten into difficulty,” a Coast Guard spokesman said.

No hospitalisation of the fishermen was necessary, and the five are “believed to be in good spirits” according to the spokesman.

The stricken trawler, pictured during the rescue operation this morning RNLI RNLI

“The risk to life that was reported has been averted which is the most important thing.”

The vessel has since sunk, despite extensive attempts to pump the water overboard.

“Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of all crews involved this morning, the vessel did sink but thankfully all five fishermen have been returned safely to shore and we would like to wish them well following their ordeal,” Howth RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Colm Newport said.

They did the right thing this morning and raised the alarm once they began to encounter difficulties and we were happy to be able to help.

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