Collision may have played part in sinking of "Jenalisa"

THE Dunmore East fishing vessel, Jenalisa, which sank off Co Waterford with the loss of three lives a month ago, may have sustained damage before it hit the seabed. The official inquiry has not ruled out the possibility of a collision, it has been learned.

Garda divers are due to participate in the recovery of the vessel off Brownstown Head today, weather permitting. The Naval Service patrol ship, LE Ciara, and the navy sub aqua team were on station yesterday, awaiting the delivery of salvage equipment from Wales.

The Department of the Marine said that it would not speculate on the cause of the sinking, which was a matter for the official inquiry. However, the investigation is understood to have video evidence of significant damage to the bow and part of the beam, which may have been caused by a collision - or by the actual sinking when, and if, the craft hit the seabed bow on.

Originally, the Department had said that the vessel was in good condition, and was sitting upright on the seabed with a slight list to starboard. Tangled netting had prevented easy access to the 40 footer during the search for two bodies still missing, it was reported.

There has been no trace of the skipper/owner, Mr Peter Nolan (39), and Mr Niall Power (25), since the Jenalisa sank on February 4th. The body of Mr Conor O'Grady (22) was recovered off Brownstown Head. The vessel was located four days after the accident on February 8th, and an order to raise the craft was issued on February 16th as part of the official investigation.

However, the tender issued to a Co Louth company had to be terminated, due to technical difficulties, and a new contract was awarded to a Co Cork company, Celtic Diving Ltd of Cobb, last week. A tug towing the salvage barge from Pembroke, Wales, was due to arrive last night.

Relatives, angry at the delay, pointed out that local fishing vessels could have tried to recover the ship. However, the Department of the Marine stressed that the craft must be raised in as intact a condition as possible.