Improved weather enables scans of helicopter search site

The search for the black box data recorder from the Coast Guard helicopter that went down off the Mayo coast received a boost yesterday after improved weather conditions allowed underwater scans to be taken of the area believed to be the crash site.

Experts from the Marine Institute were able to gather information from the sea bed near Blackrock Lighthouse that will help in the deployment of the large Commisioner of Irish Lights vessel, the Granuaile.

The 80m long Granuaile is designed for working in rough seas and has cranes on board that enable her to carry a hi-tech undersea robot, the Holland 1 ROV, that searchers hope will pinpoint the location of the black box.