Man arrested after 14 crew had to be rescued from fishing boat that ran aground

A MAN has been arrested in connection with the grounding of a French fishing boat from which 14 people were rescued.

The crew of the Jack Abry II, which was sailing off the west coast of Scotland, were airlifted to safety by a Stornoway Coastguard helicopter on Monday night after the vessel ran aground on rocks.

A distress signal was picked up just after 11:30pm and the 151ft boat was located on rocks near the Isle of Rum.

A crew from Mallaig lifeboat went to the scene, but strong winds and a heavy swell prevented a sea rescue. The fishermen were eventually winched up and taken to Stornoway.

Northern Constabulary said that a man was in custody in connection with the grounding of the vessel. He is due to appear at Stornoway Sheriff Court today.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's counter-pollution branch will assess whether there was any fuel leakage from the boat, which will later be towed from the island.

Stornoway Coastguard watch manager David Smith said: "This was a very successful rescue of all 14 crewmen in what could have been different circumstances due to the severe weather conditions on scene."