Trawler tragedies - The cost of a dangerous occupation

As FAMILIES and friends of the seven fishermen who perished in awesome seas waited in growing hopelessness, the country shares in their appalling and dreadful anguish.

President Mary McAleese reflected the despair and enormous sadness felt throughout the country at what she described as the “terrible toll” visited upon seafaring communities this week.

It was, indeed, a terrible toll, borne with a quiet dignity by those who waited anxiously at piers for loved ones as hope faded with each day that dawned.

They were supported in their grief by close-knit communities, for whom tragedy overshadows their lives each time a boat leaves port.

Two separate tragedies at sea within hours of each other, snatched the lives of five Irish fishermen and two from Eastern Europe in what was a devastating and horrendous week especially for fishing communities around the coast.

The brunt of the awful tragedies was borne by two in particular — Dunmore East and Kinsale — when the Pere Charles sank off the coast of Waterford with five on board.

Shocking and numbing though it was, disbelief became even more unbearable with news of the fate of the Kinsale-based Honeydew II, even as the massive air and sea operation for the first tragedy was underway.

Within five hours, and a mere 20 miles from the scene of the first devastation, the awesome force of nature struck again, but thankfully two of the four crew members of the Kinsale trawler escaped with their lives.

If the presumed fate of all those missing men is confirmed, it will bring the number of fishing fatalities in less than five years to 17.

The price in human lives exacted has been colossal; the effects devastating.

There is nothing romantic about fishing; it is tough, dangerous and can prove ruthlessly tragic.

From the utter catastrophes evidenced, it emerged that one of the victims, Pat Coady, was the third generation of his family to have died at sea, his father and grandfather having suffered the same fate.

Yet, the courage displayed by fishermen around the country, and especially those who have perished through serving this island nation, is paralleled by those who respond unselfishly to the distress of others at sea.

As soon as the danger of those fishermen unfolded this week, an air and sea operation, comprising the gardaí, navy, coast guard and lifeboats, involving divers as well as helicopter crews, worked tirelessly to save them.

Unfortunately, the extreme weather conditions they battled probably defied their superb efforts, although thankfully, two lives were saved.

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board inquiries may, hopefully, reveal what caused these two tragedies in such close proximity to each other.

They have to be held, but they will not reveal the complete devastation visited upon the families, friends and communities who must now begin to mourn the passing of loved ones.

Nothing will.