The Valentia Coastguard last night helped to co-ordinate the evacuation of a sinking Spanish fishing boat.

The 'Novo Jundina' issued a mayday call at around 9pm last night and notified Valentia that it was taking on water and needed evacuation.

The Coastguard then co-ordinated with a Spanish rescue helicopter which airlifted 11 crew safely from the vessel around 40 nautical miles north west of La Coruna.

The Spanish Coastguard then sent a helicopter and rescue boat to airlift the 11 crew members from the vessel.