Rough seas hamper bid to find bodies

ROUGH sea conditions off the Co Waterford coast once again prevented the bodies of five fishermen being recovered yesterday from their sunken trawler.

Hopes were raised during the morning of a garda and navy dive for the bodies of Tom Hennessy, Pat Hennessy, Billy O’Connor, Pat Coady and Andriy Dyrin, when sunny conditions prevailed around the coastal town of Dunmore East.

However, farther out to sea, water and weather conditions worsened during the day as a force six wind blew from the south-west.

A naval diving team went into the water at about 12.30pm in the area where the Pere Charles sank on Thursday evening, two miles south of Hook Head, but they could not get any further than about 15 metres below the surface before the choppy seas forced them up again. The 20-metre herring boat is believed to be lying in between 32 and 37 metres of water, depending on tidal conditions.

A full investigation has begun into the loss of the Pere Charles off Hook Head and the Honeydew II off Mine Head, both on Thursday evening, and Minister of State Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher said yesterday that any recommendations made were likely to be implemented.

The inquiry is being conducted by the Marine Casualty Investigations Board, an independent statutory body set up in 2002.

“They do not apportion blame; they make recommendations and have commenced the investigation in relation to both vessels,” the minister with responsibility for marine safety at the Department of Transport said. “In my experience, any recommendations they make will be implemented.”

The minister met with family members of the crews of the two stricken vessels during visits to Kinsale and Dunmore East yesterday and was also briefed on the search and recovery operation by coastguard officials.

Earlier yesterday, the navy team returned to the harbour after their dive and confirmed that they wouldn’t be in a position to go out again during the afternoon because of the weather and rough seas.

With more bad weather forecast for today, it could be tomorrow or even later before the diving teams get to carry out their work.

Coastguard co-ordinator Ger Hegarty said the search operation continues along the shore and from the air for any wreckage from the Honeydew II, which also sank off the south coast with the loss of two men. As well as lifeboat crews from along the south coast, the search is being conducted by coastguard workers, the helicopter from Waterford, fishing trawlers and by family members along the shore.