Four people rescued from sinking fishing boat on the Argyll coast

Four fishermen have been rescued after their boat sank off the Argyll coast.

The Oban RNLI lifeboat, a rescue helicopter and a local work boat went to the aid of the vessel off the Garvellach islands after it began taking on water on Wednesday afternoon.

Initially it was thought the situation had stabilised and efforts began to tow the fishing boat to Oban for repairs.

But amid high seas and strong winds, water started getting in again and the vessel rapidly capsized and sank.

The two crew who had remained on board had to be plucked from the sea by lifeboat volunteers.

Oban lifeboat Coxswain Ally Cerexhe said high winds and a significant swell made the rescue operation difficult.

he said: “What had been a slow tow suddenly changed and the fishing vessel listed heavily and then sank very quickly, forcing the two members to abandon the boat and swim across to us.

“I’d like to thank my Coastguard colleagues and the crew of the Celtic Guardian who assisted during the operation.”

The lifeboat returned to Oban lifeboat station where the four people from the fishing boat were passed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.