Two fishermen rescued from sinking fishing boat in North Sea, spotted by Belgian Air Force Agusta A-109 crew

On 5 November, the crew of a Belgian Air Force Agusta A-109 Helicopter noticed fishing vessel Lainey, sinking with two crew on-board approximately 6 miles north-north-west of Wells. The A-109 was on a training mission and discovered the unfortunate, they quickly decided to drop a liferaft into the water and then held position above the casualties to assist location and until the arrival of the U.K. coastguard.

Windfarm vessel Seacat Magic arrived at 14.57 and stood by until the Wells Lifeboat arrived two minutes later. The Lainey having sunk, the two casualties, wearing lifejackets and holding on to life-rings, had been in the water for over 20 minutes. They were quickly recovered onto the lifeboat and given first aid. Rescue Helicopter 912 from Humberside arrived on scene and, at 15.06, winched the two casualties up from the lifeboat for transfer to Norwich and Norfolk hospital. Both men were later able to return home.