Search resumes in Blacksod Bay for missing crew of Rescue 116

THE search operation off the Mayo coast for the crew of Rescue 116 has resumed this morning with resources from the Coast Guard, RNLI, the Naval Service, An Garda Siochana and local fishing vessels.

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick was recovered from the scene yesterday and flown to Mayo University Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Efforts to locate Captain Mark Duffy and winchmen Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith continue.

Naval service and garda underwater unit divers are assessing conditions for a dive on an area close to Black rock, 10 miles west of Blacksod. However, waters are very choppy this morning.

Marine vessel, The Celtic Exlorer, is solar searching the sea bed, while Navy vessels, the LE Eithne and LE Roisin, are also involved as are two coastguard helicopters from Sligo and Shannon with the Air Corps lending its support along with coastguard units from Achill and Ballyglass.

The air accident investigation unit seeking to trace the helicopter's blackbox which is expected to give a greater understanding of the cause of the accident.