18/01/2012

Navy And Garda Continue Trawler Search

Navy and garda teams are continuing their search at the site of the sunken trawler, the Tit Bonhomme, off the coast of Co Cork.

Irish Navy vessel, LÉ Niamh, along with the Naval Dive Team remain on scene off the Cork Coast.

According to the Irish Navy on Tuesday evening, the prevailing weather conditions in the area continued to prevent safe diving operations in the immediate vicinity of the Tit Bonhomme, while the sea state has been assessed as having deteriorated slightly in the last 24hours.

Weather conditions at the mouth of the harbour however improved overnight with light westerly winds allowing divers safe access to the site this morning.

Shortly before high tide, navy and garda divers anchored off the Adam's Rock and began diving in and around the vessel.

The initial dive lasted for about 50 mins after which the navy divers came ashore and the garda team remained anchored at the scene.

Meanwhile, a temporary maritime exclusion zone had been established by the Coastguard around the site in order to prevent unauthorised persons or vessels from approaching the scene or entering the water.

The Naval Service Dive Team said they were specifically trained and equipped team with experience in these type of search operations.

Speaking last night, Naval Dive Team Leader, Lieutenant Conor Kirwan said: “Conditions in the immediate vicinity of the vessel remain particularly treacherous, only the Naval and Garda Dive Teams with their extensive support should dive the Tit Bonhomme. We do not want to compound this tragedy with a further tragedy.”

The Coastguard, Naval Dive Team Leader and Gardai are continuing to monitor weather conditions and hope a change in weather may allow a window to extend diving operations to the vessel.

(DW)

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