Family maintains vigil as divers locate wreck of Maggie B

NAVAL service divers yesterday discovered the wreck of the Maggie B and began a survey of the vessel, which sank off the Wexford coast last March.

One man was rescued but the bodies of skipper Glynn Cott from Ballycotton, Co Cork, and Polish crewman Jan Sankowski were never found.

Mr Cott’s family, campaigning for the wreck to be raised, yesterday welcomed the news of the find as they maintained a vigil on Hook Head.

The skipper’s sister Sharon and his girlfriend Elaine Hayes said they hoped the survey would help answer their questions about how the boat sank, and could lead to the recovery of Mr Cott’s body, which they believe is still on board.

“We’ll be here every day during the operation until we hear some news,” Sharon said. “The rest of the family, including my mother, were here yesterday. There was a little prayer service and they laid some wreaths in the water.”

The Maggie B sank in rough seas on March 29, about five miles south of the Saltee Islands.

A second Polish crew member, Kriston Pawtowski, was rescued.

Thirteen naval divers on board the Irish Lights ships, Grainneuaille, began the survey operation at 7.10am yesterday.

They sent a robotic underwater unit down to survey the wreck, which was lying on her starboard side in 45 metres of water.

Large amounts of rope and wire are trailing astern.

A Navy spokesman said the operation lasted about an hour and focused on the stern and bow of the boat.

“The visibility on the seabed is at a maximum of two feet and this is a very delicate and hazardous operation,” he said. “There were a lot of wires and ropes hanging from the stern and port side of the vessel.

“Given the amount of debris in the vicinity, manoeuvring the underwater unit is very difficult.”

But he said there was no indication from the initial survey of what had caused the Maggie B to sink.

There were no signs of human remains either.

Footage of the wreck recorded by cameras on board the unit will be studied by the divers.

It will also be sent to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board who will decide on whether or not to raise the vessel.

Sharon Cott said her family still wants the vessel raised.

Weather conditions yesterday prevented a dive.

It is hoped sea conditions will improve today, allowing a dive to take place.