Raising of Pere Charles not ruled out as search fails to locate bodies

THE Department of Transport has not ruled out the possibility of raising the wreck of the Pere Charles from the seabed in an attempt to find out how it sank and what happened to its five crew men.

As the naval diving operation continued without success yesterday, an inquiry by the Marine Casualty Investigations Board continues into events surrounding the January 10 tragedy off Dunmore East. The MCIB report could take up to a year to complete.

A transport department spokesperson said yesterday it was “premature” to discuss lifting the Pere Charles from its current position — 35 metres below water level off Hook Head — until the current search is complete.

“The search is continuing at the moment,” the spokesperson said. Asked if the prospect of lifting the trawler was a consideration, she said: “I’m not even going to comment on it”.

In favourable weather and sea conditions, naval service divers yesterday explored the boat’s interior including eating, toilet and shelter deck areas, but did not locate any bodies.

It now seems likely that the crew of Billy O’Connor, Pat Coady, Pat Hennessy, Tom Hennessy and Andriy Dyrin were swept away from the vessel as it sank.

Yesterday was the sixth day of diving and the search was due to resume this morning with divers focusing on the boat’s fish hold and engine room.

The boat’s owner Michael Walsh spent the day with naval divers on board the Irish Lights ship the Granuaile and was “disappointed” the bodies were not found.

Coastguard spokesman Dave McMyler said with the trawler lying on its starboard side, “there are areas which are difficult to search”.

Meanwhile, fans at next Saturday’s Croke Park game between Dublin and Tyrone will have the chance to support an appeal for the families of the five fishermen.

The appeal, launched last week, has “been absolutely brilliant”, said Joefy Murphy, coxswain with the Dunmore East lifeboat and appeal committee member.