THE MARINE Casualty Investigation Board has questioned the approach to safety by Galway Hooker sailors, following the drowning of a well-known crewman in Galway Bay last year.
The board’s report into the death of Johnny Sheáin Jeaic MacDonncha (67), from Connemara, which was published last night, recommends that lifejackets should be worn by all on board.
Significantly, it also recommends that the traditional craft should carry VHF radios, flares and emergency position indicating radio beacons. It says the smaller sails should be used while “on passage”.
A strong gust of wind on September 5th, 2009, knocked over the gleoiteog McHugh, which was en route from Kinvara to Rossaveal, Co Galway, for a regatta.
The two brothers on board,Johnny Sheáin Jeaic MacDonncha (67) and Josie Sheáin Jeaic MacDonncha (66), were thrown into the water. Josie was wearing a lifejacket and survived, but Johnny was not.
Gerry Folan, one of four crew on an accompanying vessel, the Bláth na hÓige, jumped in to assist them. The alarm was raised by mobile phone.
The Irish Coast Guard at Valentia tasked the Shannon based rescue helicopter R115 and the Galway inshore lifeboat to attend the scene.
They were unable to make direct contact with the Bláth na hÓige, as there was no VHF on board.
Had a VHF radio been on board the Bláth na hÓige, the rescue helicopter would have located the casualty “faster and with greater ease”.