Search resumes for missing skipper in Co Donegal

A search operation has resumed today for the skipper of a yacht found anchored off Sheephaven Bay in Co Donegal with nobody on board.

The yacht, named Wood Magic, has been anchored in the bay for as many as ten days, but the alarm was only raised last night when the missing man’s family contacted Gardai.

Gardai boarded the yacht and found no trace of the man, who is understood to be from the Inishowen Peninsula.

A smaller vessel which was attached to the yacht was found upside down in the water.

An immediate search was begun around the lough between Sheephaven Bay and Hornhead Head by the Mulroy Coast Guard boat and the Rescue 118 helicopter from Sligo.

There has been no sign yet of the skipper, believed to be the only person on board the boat.

The body of a fisherman was recovered from the sea off Inishowen in Co Donegal in a separate incident yesterday.

Danny McDaid, a 56-year-old father of two daughters from Glenard, had been out fishing off Kinnego Bay when his boat capsized. His body was recovered from the water just after 11am yesterday morning.

Pieces of the boat were found floating nearby, but the main wreckage lies at the bottom of the sea and was found by divers. Attempts are being made to raise it today.

Cllr Martin McDermott said the people of Glengad, where Danny was from, were in a state of shock. The village has suffered several previous fishing-related deaths.

“There is a very sombre mood. It’s an awful tragedy for his family and the entire community,” he said.

Greencastle Coast Guard, the RNLI crews from both Lough Swilly and Portrush and the Sligo 118 helicopter all responded to the emergency.

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board is now investigating the incident, which took place in relatively calm waters.

Experts will try to piece together what happened by gathering remnants of the fishing boat from the surface, and by attempting to raise the vessel today.