Naval divers are to join the search for 41 year old fisherman Willie Whelan who was on board the Alize trawler which sank off the coast of Hook Head in Co Wexford on Saturday evening.
Poignantly it is understood that two brothers of Mr Whelan, who are also fisherman, are involved in the recovery operation.
Whelan, from Fethard on Sea, has been described by friends and fellow fisherman as a friendly man who was always willing to help others. He got married last year.
Meanwhile, the Naval Service is providing assistance to the search operation today with the LE Samuel Beckett taking over duties from the LE Ciara. A request for the Naval diving section has also been made through gardai.
Inclement weather on the south east coast and a yellow wind warning delayed the resumption of the search this morning with winds being too high this afternoon to facilitate the use of the R117 rescue helicopter.
A second fisherman who died in the tragedy Joe Sinnott (65) from Kilmore, Co Wexford will be laid to rest tomorrow following noon mass at St Mary’s Church in the town.
The father of four was winched from the sea but passed away a short time later in University Hospital Waterford.
It is understood that the trawler sank with such speed that its crew were unable to to raise the alarm. The radio beacon alerted the emergency services to the tragedy that was unfolding shortly after 10.30pm on Saturday.
The Coast Guard has thanked the statutory and voluntary bodies, including Naval Service, RNLI and local fishing vessels, that have participated in the search since the weekend.
The Waterford based Coast Guard helicopter, Kilmore Quay and Dunmore East RNLI units coordinated by LÉ Ciara conducted a search of the target area yesterday. Shoreline searches were conducted by Fethard and Kilmore Quay Coast Guard units.
The operation is now categorised as a Search and Recovery operation. The Coast Guard will continue to support an Garda Síochána and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) with the ongoing search and investigation.
The fishermen had been fishing for scallops six miles off Hook Head when the trawler sank.
The cause of the sinking is unknown at this juncture. The trawler was said to have been in pristine condition and was well maintained.
