Home / Disasters and Accidents / Frantic Search for Missing Navy Sailor off Ireland's Northwest Coast
Frantic Search for Missing Navy Sailor off Ireland's Northwest Coast
15 Nov
Summary
- Sailor disappeared from navy support vessel overnight
- Extensive search involving Irish Coast Guard, RNLI, and Air Corps
- Vessel reportedly the RFA Tidesurge, located north of Tory Island
On the morning of November 15th, 2025, a frantic search was launched for a missing sailor who disappeared from a navy support vessel off the northwest coast of Ireland overnight. The crew member was last seen on board the vessel around 10:30 pm on Friday.
The Irish Coast Guard's Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Malin Head received a distress alert just before 9 am on Saturday morning, with the vessel located north of Tory Island. The Coast Guard is now coordinating a search for the missing crew member in the sea off the northwest coast between Tory Island, Co Donegal and Eagle Island, Co Mayo.
The search effort involves the Irish Coast Guard, the RNLI, the Irish Air Corps, and the naval vessel itself. A Coast Guard fixed-wing plane, Rescue 120F, and helicopter, Rescue 118, are searching from the air, along with an Irish Air Corps plane, CASA 284. Three RNLI lifeboats based at Ballyglass, Arranmore Island, and Lough Swilly are also involved, as well as other vessels of opportunity.
Online reports suggest the vessel involved could be the RFA Tidesurge, a UK naval support ship. The search continues as authorities work to locate the missing sailor and determine the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.
