Cruise ship Pearl to the rescue

Cruise ship Saga Pearl II raced to the rescue of a tugboat in trouble during heavy weather between Cornwall and France, standing by as two crewmembers were winched to safety by a French rescue helicopter.
The 60-ft long tug Aquarius, heading for Plymouth, sent out a Mayday distress call on Monday. The vessel was shipping water and the three crewmembers were taking to the liferafts. Within 10 minutes of the radio message, the boat sank.
The cruise ship, heading from Southampton to the port of Ferrol in Spain, was about 44 miles north of Ushant, and the nearest vessel to the scene. Captain Wes Dunlop (above) informed Falmouth coastguard, immediately turned his ship around and was in position at the scene within about 20 minutes.
Three other ships also reached the area, and French coastguard nominated the Pearl as the rescue co-ordinating vessel. A French coastguard helicopter arrived and flew two survivors to a military hospital in Brest, where they were treated for hypothermia and shock.
A third member of crew remains missing, presumed dead. Although a search continues, it is believed he went down with the tug.
Falmouth coastguard said sea conditions at the time, about 45 miles south-west of Lizard Point, were a two-and-a-half metre swell, with winds of up to Force 5 – between 18 and 24 mph.
Saga Pearl II – which is on her final voyage under that name, and will re-named Quest for Adventure on May 6 – was released from the search by 1,00 pm on Monday, and continued on course to Spain.