The search is ongoing today for two people missing off the Wexford coast. Pat Colfer, skipper of the vessel the “Rising Sun” has been missing since Tuesday evening, while diver Billy O’Connor, has been missing since early Thursday evening.
Coastguard Units from Carnsore Point, Rosslare, Fethard, Dunmore East & Kilmore Quay have been searching the inshore area, while civil defence units and local volunteers have been combing the shoreline. At sea, the Kilmore Quay Lifeboat and the Fethard Lifeboat have been searching, accompanied by the Coastguard Helicopter. The search is being co-ordinated by the Naval vessel, the L.E. Orla. A number of local fishing vessels, accompanied by ribs crewed by numerous diving clubs are also assisting in the search.
The Granuaile arrived on scene this morning after travelling from Cork, carrying a team of fourteen naval divers, a de-compression chamber, a remote operating vehicle and surface diving equipment. It has taken up position above the wreck of the Rising Sun which allowed the divers to investigate the wreck and the surrounding area. Unfortunately the dive was concluded without result. The Remote Operating Vehicle will now be used to examine a larger area around the wreck.
Marine Minister, Pat the Cope Gallagher T.D., is also visiting Wexford today to express his sympathies to the families of the bereaved and also to thank the Coast Guard and the local volunteers for their selfless dedication throughout the week in the search operations.
“Coming as I do from a coastal county I am only too familiar with the pain and heartache such tragedies can have upon families and communities. My sympathies today lie with the grieving families and I want to assure them that every effort will be made to recover their loved ones and at least provide them with some measure of closure,” said Pat the Cope.
The incident is being co-ordinated by the Irish Coast Guard Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in Dublin. If there is no positive conclusion to the search today, operations will resume at first light tomorrow.