The Ocean-Challenger: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In a critical development on March 31, 2017, the tugboat "Ocean Challenger" departed from Castletownbere during the night, heading towards north Mayo to aid in the search for two airmen missing following the tragic crash of the Irish Coast Guard Rescue 116 helicopter. The tugboat was set to reach the Mayo coast early in the afternoon, focusing on the urgent mission to locate winch operator Paul Ormsby (53) and winchman Ciarán Smith (38). This substantial search operation, now in its third week, continues to prioritize the recovery of the two casualties. Senior pilot Capt Dara Fitzpatrick (45) was tragically recovered from the sea shortly after the accident, which occurred in the early hours of March 14 off Blackrock Island, located 13 km west of north Mayo. Capt Mark Duffy (51), the co-pilot, was retrieved from the helicopter's cockpit on March 26 by a Naval Service dive team. The ongoing recovery efforts involve both Naval Service and Garda divers, who will work alongside the tugboat as it positions itself over the wreckage site, lying approximately 40 meters below the turbulent waters of a narrow channel separating Blackrock Island and Parrot Rock. Due to challenging conditions, the "Ocean Challenger" will perform a direct lift of a section of the wreck estimated to weigh around five tonnes, bypassing the previously considered airbag flotation method, which proved impractical in these dynamic tidal and current conditions. To enhance the operation, the Marine Institute’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV), deployed from the Irish Lights vessel "Granuaile," will monitor the lifting process using a high-definition camera and inspect the site for any remaining signs of the two missing airmen. Caitlín Uí Aodha, a fishing vessel owner and chair of the Lost at Sea Tragedies (Last) group, has expressed support for the search and recovery mission. Uí Aodha, whose husband Michael perished in the Tit Bonhomme sinking in 2012, underscored the fishing community's respect for the Irish Coast Guard's efforts and the significance of recovering loved ones. The RNLI lifeboat service has also shown solidarity, sending volunteers from Donaghadee, Co Down; Valentia, Co Kerry; and Rosslare, Co Wexford to crew the Mayo, Achill, Ballyglass, Sligo, and Bundoran lifeboats that were operational at sea on March 30. On the scene, the Naval Service patrol ship "LE James Joyce," under Lieut Cdr Neil Manning's command, has replaced the "LE Samuel Beckett" as the coordinated support vessel. Weather permitting, the lifting operation by the "Ocean Challenger" is anticipated to occur over the weekend, with the first phase involving a sub-sea inspection of the wreck before any decision is made to bring the debris to the surface.