LONDON, Oct. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- A major rescue effort has been launched off the coast of Ireland after a Canadian submarine sent a distress signal for assistance from the North Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday.

    According to the British Navy, a Royal Air Force Nimrod long-range sea patrol plane has been diverted to the area some 185 km northwest of Ireland and a Royal Navy Sea King search and rescue helicopter also took part in the rescue efforts.

    "She has suffered an electrical fire on board which has resulted in smoke throughout the vessel," a spokesman for the Royal Navy told reporters on condition of anonymity.

    "She is now on the surface and everything appears to be all right," the spokesman said, adding that three crew members had suffered smoke inhalation and the rest were all safe.

    The submarine, one of four Upholder Class submarines originally built for the British Royal Navy, is not nuclear-powered or carrying nuclear warheads.

    The diesel-powered vessel was bought by the Canadian Navy, where it is now one of four Victoria Class long-range patrol submarines.

    Local media reports said this was the second time in a month that the submarine has been involved in a rescue at sea.

    Last month, she was involved in an incident when an ocean-goingtug boat accompanying it ran aground off the Skye Island in Scotland during sea trials, the BBC reported. Enditem