Boat wreckage found in hunt for fishermen

More wreckage was found today as hopes faded for two fishermen missing after their boat sank off the coast of the North.

More than 500 civilians as well as helicopters belonging to the rescue service in Dublin and police in the North, and several lifeboats joined the search along a rocky stretch of coastline a mile north of the fishing port of Ardglass, Co Down.

The fisheries protection vessel Ken Vickers, fitted with specialised sonar equipment, also took part.

But with rough seas and gales expected later, Coastguards feared the worst.

Brett Cunningham, area operations manager, said: “Life expectancy is not good at this stage.”

One member of the three-man crew, believed to be the skipper, was saved after the fishing vessel Greenhill hit rocks and broke up last night.

He was found on a life raft by the crew of the Portaferry lifeboat and was taken to hospital in Downpatrick, suffering from hypothermia.

Today’s wreckage was discovered close to Ardglass Harbour.

Mr Cunningham said: “There is no doubt the boat hit the rocks. The chances of finding the men are ever decreasing.”