Launch of €3m scheme to help fishermen upgrade safety gear

A PROGRAMME of financial support to assist fishermen upgrade critical life-saving, fire-fighting, and other safety equipment on board their fishing boats was launched in Wexford yesterday.

Junior Fisheries Minister Sean Connick formally launched the scheme as air, sea and coastline searches continued for two men reported missing from a small dinghy off the Waterford coast.

Mr Connick said he is only too aware of the pain and suffering that is caused to the families and coastal communities as a result of accidents at sea.