Search to resume for missing Blackrock fisherman

A MAJOR air, sea and land search will resume again at dawn today for missing fisherman, Gerry Hegarty, who fell into Cork Harbour after the small boat he was in capsized.

The boat, which was based at Crosshaven, capsized at Ringabella Bay near Cork Harbour just after 10am on Thursday morning.

The skipper of the boat, Jamie Fitzgerald from Crosshaven, managed to swim to shore and climb a steep rock face before running to a nearby house to raise the alarm.

However, his companion, Gerry Hegarty, a 38-year old from Blackrock in Cork city, failed to make it to shore and is presumed to have drowned.

Mr Fitzgerald, an experienced fisherman, was treated for shock and hypothermia but is expected to make a full recovery.

The search for Mr Hegarty resumed yesterday morning at first light. The Naval vessel LE Niamh, as well as the Crosshaven and Ballycotton lifeboats, and a number of local boats are involved in the operation.

A large number of locals were also involved in searching the coastline from Ringabella to Myrtleville and Roches Point.

The LE Niamh arrived on scene at 8am yesterday morning and using its RIBS, began searching an area between Roberts Head and Myrtleville.

The family of Mr Hegarty were understood to have been aboard the ship, which is coordinating the search.

The ship was joined in the search by the Crosshaven inshore Lifeboat, two local RIBS and three fishing vessels.

The Ballycotton Lifeboat and a naval dive team assisted in the search. A total of 15 boats, including two kayaks were also involved in the search.

The divers were concentrating on an area approximately 20 metres offshore near the southern side of Ringabella Bay in six metres of water. This is the approximate area where Mr Hegarty was last seen and local fishermen have said the tide is weak.

Captain of the LE Niamh, Lieutenant Commander Paddy Harkin said the operation “is now being considered as a search and recovery”.

The LE Niamh remained anchored in Ringabella Bay last night so diving teams could resume their search at first light today.

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board from the Department of Transport is due to carry out an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the vessel.