What Crew Members Say About Moses-Appaqaq

The search operation for the lost Coast Guard Helicopter R116 has received a significant boost with the arrival of the "Celtic Voyager". This skilled vessel is now actively involved in the rescue mission after the black box recorder's signal was detected near the Blackrock Lighthouse off the Mayo coast. The crucial signal was identified around 4:30 p.m. on March 15, 2017, in deep waters approximately 60 meters from the lighthouse, which stands in 40 meters of water. This detection marks a pivotal advancement in the ongoing effort to locate the three missing crew members: chief pilot Mark Duffy and winchmen Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith. Sadly, a fourth crew member, Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, succumbed to her injuries after being retrieved from the sea on March 14 at daybreak. Investigators are diligently working to pinpoint the exact location of the detected signal, aiming to commence diving operations by evening to recover the black box. The recovery mission faces challenging water conditions, characterized by strong currents and potentially turbulent weather. The black box, which includes the cockpit voice recorder, is expected to provide critical insights into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Earlier in the day, the "Celtic Voyager" utilized advanced multibeam sonar technology to meticulously scan the seabed, focusing efforts around Blackrock Lighthouse—approximately 12 km from the Blacksod Coast, which was R116's last known position. During their search, the vessel unearthed substantial debris presumed to be from the helicopter resting on the sea floor, alongside additional remnants discovered on Blackrock itself. The next phase will involve either the use of underwater robotics or diving teams to recover the black box. The Dublin-based helicopter crew had previously been assisting in a rescue mission for a UK fishing vessel, located some 150 km (95 miles) west of Eagle Island, when they lost contact around 01:00 a.m. on March 14 while returning to Blacksod for refueling. Multiple agencies, including the Irish navy, RNLI, police divers, and local fishing boats, are partaking in the extensive search along the Mayo coastline, with the patrol vessel "LÉ Eithne" coordinating the active search and rescue operations. Additionally, civil defense volunteers are conducting shoreline searches to aid in locating the missing crew members.