Naval Service divers intend to continue their search today for the wreck of the fishing vessel Maggie B, which sank off the southeast coast almost two months ago with the loss of two lives.
A team of 13 divers travelled to the search area on board the Irish Lights vessel Granuaile yesterday. The initial plan is to deploy a remotely operated vehicle to establish the precise position of the wreck, a Naval Service spokesman said.
The divers have been given a latitude/longitude for the wreck in 50 metres of water, about five miles south of Hook Head. The search was requested by Minister of State for Transport Pat the Cope Gallagher, who met the family of missing skipper Glynn Cott (30), Ballycotton, Co Cork, last week.
Mr Cott and his Polish crewman Jan Sankowski have not been seen since the sinking on March 29th, which occurred in 90 seconds, according to sole survivor Krzysztof Pawtowski.
The vessel had capsized before in British waters, and the bereaved families believe the cause of the incident will only be established if the boat is salvaged.
Mr Gallagher said he would refer their views to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, which is conducting an official inquiry into the sinking.
The board has no function in relation to salvage, which is within the remit of the Irish Coast Guard. It is understood that it does not require the vessel for its investigation, given that there is a survivor and information on the vessel model and specifications.
The board has also been conducting inclination tests on the lobster boat Rising Sun, which was salvaged off the Wexford coast four months ago. Two fishermen and a diver died as a result of the boat's sinking last November.