Updated 15:20

THE LONGEST EVER search and rescue mission carried out from Ireland is currently underway by the Irish Coast Guard.

Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 from Shannon was earlier tasked with evacuating an urgent medical case from a cruise ship 800 miles west of Ireland. However when it stopped to refuel at an oil rig en route a technical fault was identified with a warning light and it is now stuck on the rig.

This is the newest helicopter in the Coast Guard’s fleet and is capable of making much longer trips. A second helicopter has now been sent out with an engineer to fix the problem but if it can’t be repaired, this older helicopter will take on the mission.

The boat is travelling from Canada to Cork and it is thought that the medical case must be a serious one since the captain called for immediate help at such a distance rather than waiting a day or two to reach land.