Two rescued after passenger boat serving na Scealga sinks

Two crew members were rescued from a passenger boat serving na Scealga this morning, after it got into difficulty and sank.

The incident occurred around 9.45am, a few miles out from the UNESCO world heritage site of Sceilg Mhichíl, the nearby Valentia Coast Guard said.

The weather was good and there were a number of boats in the vicinity at the time.

There were no passengers on board and the two crew were rescued by a nearby vessel.

It is not clear what caused the vessel to sink. The name of the boat was not released.

Some 15 passenger boats are licensed by the OPW to land passengers on Sceilg Mhichíl each season between mid-May and the end of September, on days that weather permits.

Each carries around 12 passengers and the system is designed to ensure not more than 180 people will land on the island on any one day.

Other boats offer non-landing around both Sceilg Mhichíl and its sister island, an Sceilg Bheag.

Tours depart between 8am and shortly after noon, mostly from Portmagee – with one boat leaving from Dhoire Fhíonáin and another from Baile an Sceilg.

Amid huge demand since the filming of Star Wars on the monastic island, most trips ferrying landing passengers now are booked online well in advance and cost over €100 per person.