Search for missing crew members at a ‘critical phase’

Anton McNulty

The Irish Coast Guard say they are entering a ‘critical phase’ in the search operation for the remaining crew members of Rescue 116.
The use of an airbag to lift part of the wreckage located 40 metres below the surface is currently ongoing, but the process has been described as ‘technically challenging’.
Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby, the winch men on R116 remain missing two weeks after the helicopter crashed at Blackrock lighthouse approximately 12km off the Blacksod coast.
Navy diving teams deployed an airbag under part of the wreck of R116 in an attempt to partially lift the helicopter in order to carry out a search of the area. The lift began this afternoon, but Gerry O’Flynn of the Irish Coast Guard said it is a difficult process.
“We are not talking about a timeline yet, we are in a critical phase this evening and we will see how it goes. It is a complicated operation, we are working 40 metres down and we have to deal with the spring tide cycle.
“It is challenging and there has been some minor delays getting the bag pumped up. It is technically challenging … so it is a complex operation. Let’s hold up and see what it throws up,” he said.
The Marine Institute’s Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) is currently monitoring the process and feeding live footage to the GrΡinne Uaile.
Mr O’Flynn added that the next phase of the search will depend on what is uncovered after the lift.
“They will stay at this until we get a visual inspection of this wreckage, which has been the focus over the last couple of days now. It is not a simple operation, and we will not be in a position to say what happens next until they’ve done a satisfactory inspection of that part of the wreckage.”
Superintendent Tony Healy explained that Garda divers are carrying out searches of the periphery of the wreckage. He added that they were dealing with three times the usual amount of water flowing through the channel due to the spring tide, making it ‘hugely challenging’ for them.