One trawlerman has died and two others are missing off the north-east coast of England after their vessel got into difficulties on Sunday, according to reports.
The man who died was one of three pulled from the water by rescuers.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the search was continuing for the missing crew and their trawler, which was last heard from about 100 miles east of the Farne Islands, off Northumberland.
The skipper is British while the four crew were Filipino, according to reports. The MCA declined to confirm whether the dead person was the skipper or one of the crew.
A spokesman said a helicopter from RAF Boulmer and a Norwegian aircraft were scrambled to look for the trawler, which is named Ocean Way, after it sent out an emergency signal.
The coastguard tried to contact other ships in the area, but no sightings had so far been reported. A spokesman said it was too early to tell what had happened to Ocean Way, but that three people had been found in the water.
Earlier in the day, Humber Coastguard’s watch manager Mike Puplett said: “We will continue searching as long as necessary.
“We still have the benefit of daylight and fairly favourable weather conditions for searching.”
Ocean Way is believed to be registered in Fraserburgh in north-east Scotland.
Scotland’s fisheries minister Richard Lochhead said: “I am very sorry to hear about the loss of the Fraserburgh-registered fishing vessel the Ocean Way that has tragically resulted in fatalities.
“This is a terrible tragedy and my thoughts are with the loved ones and friends of the crew. This tragedy will be felt by all fishing communities and is a horrible reminder of the dangers our fishermen face day in day out to bring fish to our tables with many paying the ultimate sacrifice.
“I would like to pay tribute to all the personnel involved in the rescue operation.”
