Dáil debates

Wednesday, 26 April 2006

9:00 pm

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this issue. I also thank Deputy Ned O'Keeffe, who has just spoken, and Deputy O'Donovan and the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, who contacted me in this regard. I take this opportunity to offer my sincere condolences to the families of Glen Cott and Jan Sankowski who tragically drowned with the sinking of the fishing vessel Maggie B off Hook Head on 29 March of this year.

The Coast Guard, on being alerted, immediately tasked resources to the scene of this incident, and the third crew member, Kristoph Pawtowski, was rescued from the water, clinging to the upturned life-raft. Based on information received and with the assistance of its search computer, the Coast Guard carried out a thorough search of the area, both at sea and on the shoreline for 21 days using helicopters, lifeboats, local fishing vessels, Coast Guard shore units and members of the public. I take this opportunity to thank all those involved, especially the volunteers, of whom many were involved. They gave of their time freely to search for the missing men.

No two incidents regarding the sinking of fishing vessels are the same. In the case of the Maggie B a distress call was made to the Coast Guard giving the vessel's position.

In addition, the emergency position indication radio beacon, EPIRB, was activated, and the life raft launched and inflated. Parallels are being drawn between this tragic case and the recent loss of the fishing vessel, the Rising Sun, in which I was involved. However, in the case of the Rising Sun no distress call was made and no EPIRB was activated. That meant there was a possibility that the skipper of the Rising Sun had re-entered the wheelhouse to activate the EPIRB. Therefore, I took the decision to raise the vessel. The owner of the vessel the Maggie B engaged several divers to dive to the vessel and search for the missing men. That was done, and it confirmed the Coast Guard's view that the two bodies were not on or around the vessel. I am advised it would be unnecessary to raise the Maggie B for that reason.

Sadly, it is now well established that the bodies of those who drown in the area tend to be carried by underwater currents in an easterly direction, and some have even been located on the Welsh coastline. As is its usual practice, the Irish Coast Guard has informed its colleagues in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in the UK. They are therefore aware of the possibility that the bodies may be found on their coast.

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board, MCIB, was established in 2002 to carry out investigations into marine casualties. The MCIB is charged with investigating marine accidents involving all types of craft in Ireland. The main purpose of the board's investigation is to establish the cause or causes of a marine casualty with a view to making recommendations to me to avoid similar incidents. Investigations carried out by the board do not attribute blame or fault, and I understand the MCIB is carrying out an investigation into the sinking of the Maggie B. It is most important that the facts of this tragic incident be established. Members will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on any aspect of this case while it is still under investigation by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board.

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