Navy ships intensify search for missing trawler

A naval search for three members of the same family missing in the Irish Sea was today set to enter a new stage.

A naval search for three members of the same family missing in the Irish Sea was today set to enter a new stage.

As gales hampering the operation died down one of those leading the hunt for the bodies outlined plans to explore a different stretch off the Co Down coast.

The Irish naval ship, Le Eithnehas been joined by Royal Naval mine-hunter Bridportas efforts continue to find wreckage of the small fishing boat which has not been seen since last Thursday.

The Bridport'scaptain, Lt Cdr Jim Nesbitt, said: "Late last night we were able to pick up the tempo of the search again and I have all but completed the first area of the search that was consigned to me.

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"I'm about to investigate a corridor that's been proposed to me by the local fishing community as a good area in which to search."

Remote control underwater vehicles, dive teams and sonar equipment have all been deployed to try to trace the bodies of Michael Greene, 54, his 32-year-old son and eight-year-old grandson, also both called Michael, who disappeared after they left Kilkeel, Co Down to fish for prawns.

The marine accident investigation unit is probing the disappearance of their small boat, Tullaghmurry Lass.

It was due to be scrapped as part of fish conservation plans involving the reduction of the Northern Ireland fishing fleet.

PA