"Jenalisa" raised from the seabed

THE wreck of the Dunmore East fishing vessel, Jenalisa, is due to be brought to port today following salvage from the seabed off Co Waterford, last night.

The 40 foot gill netter was retrieved after a day long operation in Tramore Bay, involving a Co Cork salvage company, a team of divers, and the Naval Service patrol ship, LE Ciara.

The official investigation will examine the damage to the vessel which it may have sustained before it hit the seabed. The possibility of a collision before the vessel hit the seabed has not been ruled out, and there is speculation that a criminal investigation may ensue.

However, the vessel will be examined today, to see if the damage to the bow and hull may have been sustained during the sinking.

Three Co Waterford fishermen Mr Peter Nolan (39), Mr Niall Power (25) and Mr Conor O'Grady (22) died when the Jenalisa went down off, Brownstown Head in Tramore Bay a month ago.

Weather conditions were reported to be fairly good at the time and other vessels were fishing in the area. The boat was in good condition, and had been fitted with safety equipment. The crew was gill netting for cod and other whitefish at the time.

The body of Mr O'Grady was recovered hours after the sinking, but the bodies of Mr Nolan and Mr Power were not, despite an extensive search co ordinated by the Irish Marine Emergency Service; (IMES). The vessel was examined by both Garda and Naval Service divers when it was located four days after the incident, on February 8th, and the only area that was not accessible was the engine hatch. However, tangled netting, precluded easy access as the month wore on.

The Jenalisa was due to be held in a sheltered location on a salvage barge last night before being taken to Waterford today.