Bad weather hampers dive to 'Maggie B' wreck

Naval service divers are at the scene of the sinking of the fishing vessel Maggie Bahead of a dive to the wreck.

The Granuailevessel has travelled to the where the boat went down off the south-east coast almost two months ago with the loss of two lives.

The search in about 50 metres of water five miles off Hook Head will take place as soon as weather conditions permit, a spokeswoman for the Department of Transport said.

"It certainly won't take place today because of the weather," she said. "But they are there so that when the weather allows they are ready to move."

Moves to search for the bodies of the two missing men were made following a meeting between Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Pat "the Cope" Gallagher and the family of the men.

Following the meeting, approval was given for the search by Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea.

The vessel's skipper, Mr Glynn Cott (30), single and from Ballycotton, Co Cork, and Polish crewman Jan Sankowski have not been seen since the sinking on March 29th.

The sole survivor, Krzysztof Pawtowski, also from Poland, said the vessel sank in 90 seconds. The vessel had capsized before in British waters, and the bereaved families believe that the cause of the incident will only be established if the boat is salvaged.

Mr Gallagher met the Cott family last week, and said he would refer their views to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, which investigating the sinking.