The skipper of a Northern Ireland trawler has been winched to safety after suffering a heart attack at sea.

The dramatic rescue operation took place off the coast of Scotland on Thursday.

A Royal Navy helicopter and Portpatrick Lifeboat, in Scotland, were involved in the operation to rescue the skipper from the Portavogie-based vessel.

Weather conditions made rescue difficult

The rescue operation began after the coastguard got a call from a trawler to say the trawlerman had suffered a heart attack and needed urgent assistance.

The County Down vessel, the Sonas, was four miles off the coast of Scotland.

Bangor Lifeboat Watchman John Hope said the weather conditions made the rescue attempt very difficult.

The skipper was later taken to hospital in Ayr, where he is recovering.