Did freak wave cause fishing tragedy?
INVESTIGATORS think a freak wave may have caused Sunday’s tragedy at Coonanna Harbour near Cahersiveen in which three Latvian friends lost their lives while on a fishing trip. Anatolijs Teivens (57), Valerijs Klimentengvs (38) and Jurijs Burcves (30) died in the boating tragedy when the small boat they were fishing from apparently capsized.
While there was a strong two metre swell outside the harbour, local residents said the conditions in the harbour were relatively calm.
There were, however, strong force three to four north-westerly winds which have, on occasion, been known to cause dangerous ‘freak’ waves around the harbour mouth. While the exact cause of the tragedy is still unclear, investigators believe that such a wave, coupled with the design of the men’s boat – a light fibreglass speedboat with a large engine – could have played a part.
THE Cahersiveen community is rallying to support the families and loved ones of the three Latvian men who died on Sunday when a fishing trip went tragically wrong.
Friends Anatolijs Teivens (57), Valerijs Klimentengvs (38) and Jurijs Burcves (30) died in a boating tragedy when their small fishing boat apparently capsized at Coonanna harbour near Cahersiveen on Sunday.
Mr Klimentengvs had lived and worked in Tralee for several years, while Mr Teivens and Mr Burcves were living and working in Killarney. All three had families in Kerry and were regular visitors to Coonanna, where they kept a boat and went fishing on a weekly basis.
The trio were last seen at around 8.30am on Sunday morning when they prepared to set off on their four-metre fibreglass boat.
The alarm was raised shortly after 6pm when a local man spotted the upturned boat in the harbour and what appeared to be a body floating near the pier.
A major rescue operation was mounted and the remains of the three men – two of whom were found near the upturned boat, several hundred metres from the mouth of the harbour – were recovered within an hour.
The exact cause of the tragedy is unclear, but it is thought that a freak wave may have toppled the boat and thrown the three men – who were all wearing life-jackets – into the water.
Mr Teivens was found closest to the shore, and rescue services think he may have been trying to swim to shore to raise the alarm.
The boat and other debris have been recovered, and a joint investigation by the Gardaí and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board is underway.
Meanwhile the local community have offered their support to the three men’s families and friends. The Cahersiveen Liturgy Group will hold a memorial service at Coonanna Pier next Saturday. A book of condolence has been opened at Daniel O’Connell Memorial Church, and three candles will be lit at all masses in the Church this week.