Divers hoping for weather window as search for crew of R116 enters day 13

THE search for the missing crewmen on the tragic Rescue 116 Coast Guard helicopter was hampered yesterday by difficult weather.

On Friday an unidentified body was found in the cockpit of the downed helicopter – and sources suggest that it is likely to be the body of copilot Mark Duffy as it is strapped into the cockpit of the stricken aircraft.

The black box flight data recording device was also located. The box has been sent to the UK for analysis to see if can shed light on exactly what happened.

Today is the 13th day of the search for the downed crewmen, but Coast Guard spokesman Declan Geoghegan said due to weather and tidal conditions the length of time that the operation is taking is not unusual.

Sea swells made it impossible for divers to access the wreckage yesterday with hopes that today will be more clement.

Mr Geoghegan said that it is impossible to say yet what caused the crash.

Referring to speculation about radar activity interfering with the helicopter’s electronics, he said yesterday: ‘We are having a million reasons discussed around here, it’s really not clear what happened.’

Mr Geoghegan confirmed that American investigators linked to the helicopter company, Sikorsky, are still on site in Mayo.

He said that their investigation is separate to that of the search and rescue for the bodies of the crew.

The Coast Guard spokesman added that some family members of the missing crewmen are staying in the area so they can keep in touch with the latest news.

The three missing men are Mark Duffy, Ciarán Smith and Paul Ormsby. Pilot Dara Fitzpatrick was rescued from the sea on the day of the crash, but she died in hospital.

‘It is hard now, it’s very tough on everyone, especially the families. They have a house here, they’re getting information to keep them up to speed. Both the Coast Guard and the guards would meet them after debriefings,’ Mr Geoghegan said.

He added that the Coast Guard units are used to searches taking a long time due to the unpredictability of the currents and weather.

He added: ‘Searches can go on for a long time, the sea is very difficult in terms of finding casualties. It all depends on different tidal systems. The local knowledge is great, those guys know the waters inside out. The local community here have been fantastic, just top-class I have to say.’