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'Sudden' event led to drowning
tragedy
09.07.10
by Linda McGrory
TWO Inishowen brothers drowned when their lobster
boat encountered difficulties that were 'sudden and
without warning', the Marine Casualty Investigation
Board (MCIB) has found.
Danny McDaid, 70, and Francis, 68, of Culkeeny,
Malin, on the Inishowen peninsula, drowned when
their boat, 'Strath Marie', sank in relatively calm
waters near the mouth of Lough Foyle on March 14,
2008.
The MCIB report, published today, included
submissions from the victims' families who dispute a
number of the findings.
However, the MCIB rejects the families’ claims that
a speed boat or cargo ship may have been involved in
a collision with the brothers’ 9.12m vessel on the
day. The report also found that neither brother was
wearing a lifejacket while their vessel did not
carry a life-raft. The brothers, who were married
with grown-up children, had left Bunagee Pier,
Culdaff, that morning around 8.45am to lift lobster
pots. Weather conditions were better than forecast
and visibility was good, according to the MCIB
report. |
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The families of the
victims raised the alarm shortly after 5.15pm when
the brothers failed to return to port.
Following a search of the waters around Inishowen
Head, the first casualty was recovered from the
water shortly before 6.15pm that evening with the
second victim taken from the water around 8.40pm.
The men were later pronounced dead at Altnagelvin
Hospital in Derry.
The MCIB report states: “VHF records were checked
with Malin Head Coast Guard to verify if any unusual
movements of vessels had occurred in the vicinity of
the 'Strath Marie' on the day of the casualty. No
records were found indicating any unusual movements
of such a boat or any other.”
Parts of the stricken lobster vessel were washed up
at Portstewart, Co Derry, 12 days after the tragedy.
The wreckage was examined by a timber specialist who
found no evidence to suggest an impact to the hull.
The MCIB report concludes that “no direct cause for
the loss of both lives has been established”.
It also states: “Whatever caused the 'Strath Marie'
to encounter the difficulties which resulted in the
sinking of the vessel and consequently the drowning
of Messrs Francis and Daniel McDaid must have
occurred suddenly and without warning”.
The MCIB said that had the 'Strath Marie' carried
and deployed a life-raft “the chances of survival of
both casualties would have very significantly
improved”. It also concluded that all fishermen in
open boats should wear lifejackets at all times in
accordance with the existing code of practice. |
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