Five crew members from an Aran Island fishing vessel were rescued after the twin-rig trawler began taking water and sank off the Scottish coast. Video: British Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The British Maritime and Coastguard Agency deployed a rescue helicopter from Stornoway to save the five-man crew after the 23-metre wooden vessel Ida Naofa started taking water on Monday. Screengrab: British Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Aran Islands skipper Mairtn 20 Conghale is delighted to be marking a big birthday next week - all the more so after spending some unscheduled minutes earlier this week in heavy seas off the Scottish Outer Hebrides.

She fought it to the last, but she was gone under within 35 seconds, Conghale (63), of Inis Mr, says of his 23-metre wooden vessel Ida Naofa, which sank about 48 miles north of the Butt of Lewis on Monday morning.

They often say its good to be above ground, but we are also very lucky to be above water, Conghale, from Kilmurvey on Inis Mr, told The Irish Times, speaking from a ferry to Ullapool.

Conghale and crew were forced to jump clear of their vessel, so quickly did the Atlantic take it.

Taking water

The skipper had notified Malin Coast Guard some 90 minutes before, when the vessel began taking water, affecting two generators and cutting out power. Winds at the time were southerly force 6, with turbulent seas.

We left Rossaveal [Co Galway] at the weekend, and we had a good trip with a boat full of mackerel, he explained.

I was really looking forward to a trip through the islands and back to land in Derry, he says.

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Aran Islands skipper describes crews rescue off Scottish coast