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.