The crew of a Porthmadog boat heading to Ireland became unlikely rescuers when they happened upon a burning trawler in the middle of the Irish Sea.

Tony Bruce, who has been running chartered trips from Porthmadog and Pwllheli for years, was on his way to Arklow in Ireland, transporting a rowing team preparing to take on the Celtic Challenge, when in the distance he spotted smoke from his boat Enlli Charter.

Tony explained: “For many years, we have helped out with the Celtic Challenge which takes place every May bank holiday between Arklow and Aberystwyth.

“This year we were escorting a team from Shropshire.

“We were around 30 miles off the coast of Ireland when we spotted smoke.

“As we got closer we saw a flare go up in the sky.

“We managed to pick up three of the crew from a lifeboat.

“The skipper suffered a fair bit of smoke inhalation and he was taken off the vessel by helicopter.

“Luckily the crew was from Arklow and we managed to get them to shore safe and sound.”

It appears the fire was caused by an electrical failure and gas cannisters on board accelerated the fire.

The boat, Suzanne 2, sunk as a result, but the crew members returned to dry land unscathed thanks to Tony.

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