Naval divers were last night attempting to raise the Pisces, the fishing vessel in which five people drowned when it sank off the Wexford coast, as part of a continuing investigation into the tragedy. Paul Cullen reports
The search for the fifth missing victim of Sunday's accident was wound up yesterday afternoon after sub-aqua divers located a body shortly after 2 p.m. The body, which was identified as that of 14- year-old Mark Doyle, was found in 11 metres of water, 150 meters east of the wreck of the Pisces.
The victim was removed to Wexford General Hospital, where a post-mortem was carried out.
Mark's father, Mr Séamus Doyle, and his grandfather, Mr Jim Cooney, also died in the tragedy. The other victims were Mr John Cullen and Mr Martin Roche. All were from New Ross, except Mr Roche, who lived near Enniscorthy.
Three of the five survivors of the accident, including the skipper of the Pisces, Mr Paddy Barden, were discharged yesterday from Wexford General Hospital. Two of the four youths who were on the boat were kept in hospital last night for observation. Their condition was said to be comfortable.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been made. Father Joe McGrath, a family friend based in New Ross, said the family were awaiting the release of Mark's body before finalising the arrangements.
Up to 50 divers took part in the search which resumed at first light yesterday. Dozens of fishing boats joined in under the co-ordination of the Irish Lights vessel, the Granuaile. Thick fog and rain again hampered the search, which was carried out along 30 miles of coastline in the area, and helicopters were unable to operate in the difficult weather conditions.
Mark had been last seen clinging to a plastic drum near where the boat went down on Sunday morning. None of the 10 anglers on board was wearing a life-jacket. Divers later found a single life-jacket still attached to the boat on the sea-floor.
The investigation into the accident continued yesterday and is unlikely to be completed for some time. The Marine Casualties Investigation Board has instructed that the wreck of the Pisces be recovered.
It emerged yesterday that angling boats such as the Pisces are exempt from general regulations requiring vessels to carry life-jackets for all passengers.
The exemption runs out in December, unless it is renewed by the Minister for the Marine. Comprehensive new safety regulations have been drawn up, but are not due to come into force until June 2003. Breaches of the regulation are punishable by fines and/or terms of imprisonment.
Dr Eamonn Walsh, the Apostolic Administrator of Ferns, yesterday expressed his sympathy with the bereaved families. "No words can adequately capture the shock, loss and disbelief for all involved at this time. This accident has numbed the communities which have suffered from this dreadful tragedy."