THE family of a fisherman who drowned off the south-east coast have severely criticised the Government for the 21-month delay in raising the doomed boat which sank last year.

Attempts will be made today to raise two trawlers which sank off the south east coast, claming the lives of seven fishermen.

The Government has awarded contracts for the raising of two fishing vessels that sank off the south-east coast in recent years.

The families of the fishermen who died in the Pere Charles and Maggie B tragedies off the south-east coast have welcomed the Government's decision to raise the two vessels.

Navy divers are due to inspect the wreck of a sunken fishing vessel off the coast of Co Wexford today as part of a renewed bid to locate the bodies of its two missing crew members.

The Navy is to carry out a thorough examination of the Maggie B trawler which sank off the south-east coast in March, it emerged tonight.

THE family of the skipper of a fishing vessel which sank off the south-east six weeks ago are appealing to Transport Minister Martin Cullen to have it raised so a full investigation can be carried out.