Diver missing in search for wrecked fishing boat

A massive search was underway tonight for one of two local divers who examined the wreck of a fishing boat off the coast of Wexford.

The divers went into the water at 3.25pm to look for the body of skipper Patrick Colfer, 37, from Slade, who was in the wheelhouse of the Rising Son when it suddenly capsized on Tuesday.

But one of the drivers lost visual contact with his colleague when he was coming up, just seven meters from the surface.

An Irish Coastguard spokesman said a major search operation had been launched to find the missing diver.

It involves the LE Eithne naval ship, which is co-ordinating the effort, the Rosslare coastguard lifeboat, the Kilmore Quay lifeboat, and the Waterford and Dublin coastguard helicopters.

The two men, who were both experienced divers, managed to confirm that the wreck off the Great Saltee Island was the Rising Son and that the body of Patrick Colfer was not inside.

The Coastguard had set up an exclusion zone around the wreck yesterday to prevent diving because oil and debris were seeping up from the wreckage on the sea bed.

However, this exclusion order was lifted today after conditions improved.

The 26-foot Rising Sun went down in 52m of water at 3.30pm on Tuesday. Although Patrick Colfer was not found, two other men on board were rescued about seven hours later by local fishermen and taken to Wexford General Hospital.

Jimmy Meyler, a father-of-four in his late 40s, was pronounced dead on arrival. Ian Tierney, 26, was rushed to Wexford General Hospital but has been discharged.

A full investigation has been launched by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board.

It is understood the men had been taking in lobster pots on the Rising Sun near Carnsore Point when it went down.

The search for the missing diver is due to continue into the early hours of the morning.