Navy helicopter in Atlantic rescue
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.IAN MacKINNON
A Royal Navy frigate was yesterday involved in the rescue of five Romanian seamen who were winched from mountainous seas hundreds of miles out into the Atlantic.
As weather conditions deteriorated and it appeared that the 4,000-tonne cargo vessel Covasna might sink, the master and crew had to jump overboard so that the warship's Lynx helicopter could pick them up.
Last night, all the crew were well and HMS Northumberland was standing by the stricken vessel awaiting the arrival of a salvage tug.
The British ship was diverted from its passage to the South Atlantic when Covasna sent out a distress call after its engines failed during a storm 300 miles south-west of Cape Finisterre.
The Romanian ship reported early on Sunday that 17 of its crew had abandoned ship, five in a liferaft and 12 in a lifeboat.
A nearby Russian tankerpicked up those in the lifeboat. However, because of the state of the seas, it took a number of attempts to rescue those on board the liferaft.
At first light yesterday, Northumberland's helicopter surveyed Covasna to see whether it was possible to lift the remaining five men to safety. But with 30ft waves breaking over the deck, it was decided that it would be safer for the men to don survival suits and be winched from the sea.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments