Coastguard boat recovered hours before removal of Caitríona Lucas

Hours before the removal took place of the volunteer coastguard who died in the line of duty on Monday, the wreckage of the Irish Coast Guard rescue boat was recovered.

Caitríona Lucas, a 41-year old mother-of-two, became the first member of the volunteer service to lose her life when the Delta Rib (rigid inflatable boat) suddenly capsized throwing its crew of three into the sea.

A member of the Doolin unit of the service, Caitríona had been searching for missing Clare man David McMahon when the accident happened. She was on board the Kilkee Delta Rib along with two members of the local unit, Jenny Carway and James Lucey. Three days after the tragedy, members of the Garda Water Unit recovered debris from the sea where the tragedy occurred.

The crew of the Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter hovered overhead directing the Garda crew to debris they had spotted in the water. In the meantime, a specialist team abseiled down the cliff face to secure the wreckage of the boat which was then lifted by crane to the cliff top.

Caitríona Lucas

The salvage operation was co-ordinated by Operations and Training Officer with the Irish Coast Guard John McLoughlin who thanked those who volunteered their services for the salvage.

The wreckage and debris was removed from the scene for examination as part of the investigation into the incident. John McLoughlin confirmed that the engine’s black box data recorder was also recovered and handed over to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board for its investigation.

The Health and Safety Authority has begun an investigation.”