Cabin Fever contestants face decision

The decision on whether to continue with the Cabin Fever voyage will be taken by the contestants themselves, it was revealed today.

Cathal Goan, managing director of television at RTE, said the decision of whether the show should continue lay with the contestants.

He told RTE radio: “It is absolutely up to the contestants whether they feel they are up to continuing with the series and I think it is important that nobody puts any pressure on them.

“That’s their decision.”

He said it was the responsibility of the producers to make sure that none of the contestants were put at risk during the show.

He also said it was now necessary to find out the precise reasons for the ship sinking.

“I don’t have that information as yet,” he said. “I don’t know how the boat foundered, I don’t know the precise circumstances of who was on deck at the time.

“When we have that information perhaps it will cast light on why this happened.”

Mr Goan said the sea around Tory Island was notorious and well-known as a dangerous spot.

“This is a freak accident,” he said.

“I think that if everyone is happy that the appropriate replacement vessel can be found and if it meets all the safety requirements and the contestants want to continue then I think we could give serious consideration to this.

“I wouldn’t like to anticipate the views of the contestants.”

Earlier today producer Julian Vignoles said the passengers were traumatised by the ordeal but that they were safe.

He said their health was now the priority.