Prince William co-pilots Irish Sea rescue mission after ship sinks in a storm

Prince William was part of a rescue mission in the Irish Sea Sunday  (Nov. 27) after a cargo ship sank in a storm off the coast of Wales. The helicopter co-piloted by Prince William rescued two people. One man is confirmed dead, reports the AP, and the search is underway for five more crew members.

The ship was transporting 3,000 tons of limestone from Colwyn Bay in Wales to the Isle of Wight. There were eight crew members in total on board, all Russian. The distress signal was sent around 2 a.m. early Sunday morning when the ship was hit by a huge wave that ruptured its hull.

An official for the Ministry of Defense says of Prince William, "The Duke of Cambridge was a co-pilot on one of the aircraft involved [in the rescue mission]. He is now back at base."