Call for clarity over defective safety device

Marine rescue services have asked the Department of Transport for “clarity” over the prevalence of a safety device found to be defective on a boat which capsized, killing three brothers.

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board report into the fatal incident involving the MFV Dean Leanne — in which Shane, Kenny, and Paul Bolger died — highlighted a number of issues, including problems with the personal floatation devices and the fact the boat had been outside its operational area when it got into difficulty.

However, the report also highlighted concerns over the EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) safety device on board the Dean Leanne. This is designed to emit a distress signal when it is immersed in water but it did not deploy at any stage. It was later found on a beach near Tramore.

The Dean Leanne left Dunmore East in Co Waterford shortly before 7am on June 12, 2013, with the three brothers on-board, aiming to reposition lobster pots laid in Tramore Bay.

The last known sighting of the vessel was at 2pm that day and it was declared missing later, at 5.29pm. All three bodies were recovered shortly afterwards.

According to the report: “No distress messages were received from the MFV Dean Leanne by EPIRB, VHF or mobile telephone.”

When it was found it was tested in Tramore Garda Station with a new battery and “was found to be defective in operation”. It was then sent to the Australian Transport Safety Board for tests which found that the microprocessor failed “due to internal fault”. The microprocessor was then sent to the Philippines Board of Marine Inquiry for tests which noted that the microprocessor had failed.

According to the report: “Subsequent to the sinking of the MFV Dean Leanne, a number of similar GME EPIRBs were detected as apparently defective” — resulting in the manufacturer, GME, issuing a safety alert for the EPIRBs.

David O’Mahony, of Derrynane Inshore Rescue Service in Co Kerry, said it was now up to the department to determine how many Irish fishing vessels had used the EPIRBs and whether they had all been returned.

“We still do not know how many EPIRBs that were sold here were affected by this,” he said.

“I would hope that everyone affected sent it back and got a replacement but there seems to be no way of knowing.

“The question should be asked of the department.”