One of the Royal Navy’s newest ships has been involved in the search for fishermen from a French trawler off the coast of Cornwall.

River-class patrol ship HMS Tyne took up the role of on-scene co-ordinator yesterday in a search 15 miles south of the Lizard peninsula for survivors of a fishing vessel which capsized and sank in gale force winds and mountainous seas.

The search and rescue (SAR) operation was being co-ordinated by Falmouth Coastguard, and included Royal Navy SAR aircraft from 771 Naval Air Squadron, based at RN air station Culdrose near Helston, an RAF rescue helicopter, two lifeboats, a Coastguard emergency towing vessel as well as other Naval and merchant ships in the area.

Tyne was on Fishery Protection Patrol in Falmouth Bay when she was tasked by the Coastguard, arriving on scene at 1.50pm and officially taking command an hour later.

Speaking during the operation, her Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr Brian Taylor, said: “I have organised all the merchant vessels to start patrolling a search area given to us by Falmouth Coastguard.

“We are going backwards and forwards on an east-west heading, travelling at about four knots.

“We are very carefully looking for debris or any evidence of anybody in the water. At the moment, very little has been recovered – just a few oil drums and a lifejacket.

“The conditions we are working in are considerably difficult, with a wind of 45 knots from the west, a sea state of about 5 to 6 and visibility of about one mile.

“HMS Tyne has all available personnel on the upper deck, keeping a sharp eye out. We are particularly keen to cover the area before it gets too dark.

“Numerous local fishermen have stopped fishing and are doing their best to comb the datum.”

Two bodies spotted by SAR helicopters were recovered from the water just after Tyne arrived on the scene, but the remaining three crew members of the Guilvinec-registered trawler are still missing.

The search was called off at around 5.15 yesterday as darkness fell and conditions worsened, but was resumed this morning by civilian rescue agencies with the sea calm and the prospect of a few hours of clear weather.

HMS Tyne has resumed her fishery patrol duties and is expected to make a visit to Plymouth this weekend.