More Tragedy hits the Fishing Community

While Castletownbere is still trying to cope with the immence grief of the loss of four young fishermen last week, yet another tragedy strikes off the West Cork Coast.  21 year old Aidan Burke from Millstreet, North Cork, fell overboard from the trawler 'Sceptre', from Union Hall, while fishing off the Seven Heads yesterday afternoon (Mon.27th Nov.)  Weather at the time was 'sloppy' and visibility very poor.  The Courtmacsherry Lifeboat immediately put to sea and was aided by various fishing boats in the vicinity.  The Air & Sea Rescue Helicopter had to return to base due to very poor visibility.  The Naval Vessel L.E. Eithne, already searching for the bodies of the stricken vessel 'St. Gervase' also went to their assistance.  The search was eventually called off when darkness fell. 

The search resumed at first light today, but unfortunately did not turn up anything.

Meanwhile, the funeral of Timothy Angland, whose body was recovered by Navy Divers last Friday from the galley area of the 'St. Gervase', took place today.  The search was severely hampered by the fact that the boat was resting on the starboard side - the only entrance to the boat.  When the divers eventually gained access to the boat on Friday evening, they recovered the body of Mr. Angland.  The search was to have been resumed on Saturday, but due to atrocious weather conditions, was called off.  The Castletownbere Lifeboat returned to the area on Sunday, where a lot of wreckage was coming to the surface.  The Coastguard Service Unit scanned the coastline, which was completed this evening, but unfortunately no body was recovered.  It is hoped that the Navy Divers can resume their search tomorrow afternoon (Wed.), weather permitting.

The prayers of the whole community is with the families of these young men.  It is hoped now that the remaining bodies be recovered where they can be laid to rest by their individual families.