New naval equipment will help locate sunken vessels

THE Irish Naval Service is finally to receive potentially lifesaving equipment which would allow it to find sunken vessels and their occupants.

The new system will not only give the commanders of naval ships more accurate data on prevailing weather conditions but will also enable them to pinpoint the best place to start a search for drifting objects, including missing people.

The system is already in place for the coastguard and the naval service has admitted it has been trying to get its own equipment for several years.