Northern Ireland men among three sailors rescued by Colombian Navy as boat sinks – Belfast Live

Two Co Down men were among three sailors rescued by the Colombian Navy after their sailing boat began to sink.

According to local media they were aboard the German-flagged 'Pinocchio' sailboat which got into difficulty when it started taking on water.

The crew, two of whom are of Irish nationality and a third English national, were sailing from Cartagena to Curaao in Venezuela when the search and a rescue operation was launched 75 nautical miles northwest of Riohacha.

They have been named by local media as Gerald McKevitt and Francie McKeown, who are both originally from Newry but now live abroad.

The pair, who had a lucky escape, are understood to be life-long friends.

They were rescued along with British pal Patrick Johnson.

According to local reports, the ship ARC Providencia carried out the dramatic late night rescue as part of a coordinated operation between the Colombian Navy, the Maritime General Directorate and the National Unit for the Search of Persons of the Colombian Air Force.

A Portuguese -flagged merchant ship, Savanna, which did not have the means to carry out the rescue, guarded the 'Pinnochio' as the ARC rescue was "19 nautical miles away and in the middle of difficult meteorological conditions".

In a statement, the Colombian Navy said: "The ship of the Colombian Maritime Authority successfully rescued the three foreign citizens who were adrift on the high seas aboard a boat.

"The three citizens received first aid, food and hydration to guarantee their basic needs.

"For its part, the sailboat 'Pinocchio' sank and could not be rescued by the authorities.

"The rescued personnel were transported to the Santa Marta Coast Guard Station, where they were placed at the disposal of the corresponding immigration authorities."

The Columbian Navy commended the bravery, commitment and teamwork of the men and women who carried out the rescue.

They added that the three rescued men will be able to reunite with their families.

In a video posted to the Colombian Navys Twitter, the men can be seen thanking emergency services for bringing them back to land safe and sound.

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Northern Ireland men among three sailors rescued by Colombian Navy as boat sinks - Belfast Live