Air Sea search for Missing Man

An air sea search took place this afternoon in Kenmare Bay for a man who was reported missing after his boat was found running and unattended.

Castletownbere lifeboat was tasked at 12.25 p.m. and launched under 2^nd Coxswain M. Martin-Sullivan with crew B. Gonnelly, P. O’Conor, P. Stevens, M. O Donoghue, and  U. Ni Charra. The lifeboat arrived on scene in Kenmare bay at 2.20 p.m. and was joined by Castletownbere Coastguard, Waterville Coastguard,  and Derrynane Coast and Cliff Unit. The Coastguard’s Shannon based Rescue Helicopter also conducted a search of the area.

In addition, a flotilla of local boats assisted in the search which concentrated in an area east of Deenish Island

Castletownbere lifeboat completed a parallel search of the bay from Maiden Rock to the west of Deenish Island but yielded no result.

The naval vessel, L.E. Ciara, under Lieutenant Commander B. Fitzgerald arrived on scene at 5.00 p.m. and took over on-scene command and stated that the search area had been narrowed down and that the search would be completed by naval divers and small craft. Castletownbere was permitted to stand down and returned to port at 8.35 p.m. The Navy and small craft continued the search until dusk.

ENDS

1^st August 2002

10.30 p.m.