Three rescued from burning boat

The boat sank off the island of Grassholm

The three-man crew of a fishing boat have been rescued off St. David's Head in Pembrokeshire, after their boat caught fire.

The emergency call was made in the early hours of Tuesday.

Milford Haven Coastguards say two cross channel ferries went to the boat's aid and a helicopter from RAF Valley on Anglesey was also scrambled.

The three crew on the boat, which is from Pwllheli in Gwynedd, are not thought to be seriously injured.

The boat, the Yves Marie Amil, sank off the island of Grassholm at around 1640 GMT, after fuel onboard had burned throughout the day.

The crew of the 19 metre vessel were picked up eight miles off St David's Head after the alarm was raised at 0400 BST.

Two cross channel ferries went to the aid of the boat

Geoff Davies, manager of the lifeboat station, said when rescuers reached the burning boat, the cross-channel ferry, the Isle of Inishmore, had already arrived and was assisting by using its powerful lights.

"Conditions were very rough and the three men on board the Yves Marie Amil were successfully taken off," Mr Davies said.

He said the skipper of the stricken boat had told him he went to check the generator after spotting a flickering light and the fire quickly spread through the vessel.

A spokesman for St David's Lifeboat Station said the three rescued men, two of whom were from Brixham in south Devon, had arrived back safely and were recovering in the crew room.