Just another booze cruise for some paddies
Pair held after trawler rescue - Irish Independent - 7/17/06
TWO young Irishmen are in UK police custody after they allegedly stole a fishing trawler and unsuccessfully tried to sail back home after missing a ferry to Ireland.
The two, named as Dubliners Stephen Brennan (19) and John Mahoney (20), were the subject of a major air and sea rescue after they got into difficulties sailing the 30ft boat.
After they sent out a Mayday call, the boat was located during a search by an RAF Sea King helicopter, a Holyhead lifeboat and a coastguard cliff rescue team.
"They had no experience of the sea whatever, they didn't even know how to switch the cabin light on," said Ray Steadman, launching officer of the Holyhead lifeboat.
The young men are accused of stealing the trawler Le Bon Mawr on Saturday night from the fishing quay at Holyhead harbour on Anglesey, North Wales.
The pair had missed their ferry home at the end of a drinking session.
After eight hours at sea and a rescue operation costing several thousands pounds, they were eventually located safe and well by the Holyhead lifeboat.
Rescuers said the two men had assumed they were heading for Dublin, but when they were eventually found they were off Wylfa in Anglesey, having sailed 12 miles in the wrong direction.
Last night Mr Steadman said: "They were completely lost and when they made the Mayday call actually thought they were speaking to coastguards in Ireland.
"They were very surprised when they realised they were talking to Holyhead.
"At the end they were very worried and just pleased to be found because they had been going round in circles.