Two investigations are due to be carried out into the death of a Dublin-based diver off Rathlin island, Co Antrim, at the weekend.
Mr Seán Power, married and in his early 30s, from Portmarnock, Co Dublin, was one of a group of eight divers from north Dublin who travelled up to Rathlin to dive on the wreck of a merchant ship, Santa Maria, which sank during the second World War.
Mr Power, who was originally from Wexford, was an experienced diver and former executive member and training officer with Comhairle Fo-Thuinn (CFT), the Irish Underwater Council.
During the dive, early on Saturday, it is understood that Mr Power got into difficulties and was assisted to the surface by a fellow diver. The wreck of the ship is at 65 metres, which is beyond the diving range of 45 metres recommended by CFT.
Belfast Coastguard says the divers were at 23 metres when the emergency occurred.
The dive boat contacted Belfast Coastguard at 5.58 a.m. seeking immediate help, as the rapid ascent required that both be given emergency treatment, in a decompression chamber, for the "bends".
The dive boat mapped the position of the six divers, and took the two emergency cases immediately to Ballycastle harbour where it was met by an ambulance. Mr Power was pronounced dead at the scene, and his colleague was airlifted by a Royal Navy helicopter from Prestwick to Craigavon Hospital.
The dive boat returned and recovered the remaining six divers.
The incident is being investigated by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and a separate report is expected to be carried out by the British Marine Accident Investigation Bureau.
Mr Mick Loftus, president of CFT, expressed the organisations's sympathy with Mr Power's wife, Aoife, and his family. "Seán was well-liked, highly competent, and very committed to our organisation," he said.
The death comes a week after a fatal accident in Dublin Bay which claimed the life of a commercial diver, Mr Damien Byrne.
Mr Byrne was part of a three-man team engaged in trying to refloat a yacht which had sunk earlier that day, Saturday, July 3rd. It is understood that he got into difficulty when his equipment became entangled in the vessel's rigging.
The incident is currently being investigated by the Health and Safety Authority and gardaí in DúLaoghaire. Video footage has been taken of the scene by Garda divers.
Yesterday, Doolin Coast Guard rescued two divers from the water off the Co Clare coast when their vessel broke down off Crab island. The vessel was carrying 12 divers at the time of the incident, but all were returned to shore safe and well, according to Valentia Coast Guard.
