Over 150 divers to take part in major search for missing Rescue 116 crewmen

The rocky shoreline of Blackrock Picture: Steve Humphreys

Amy Molloy

Divers from across the country will take part in a major search off the coast of Mayo this weekend in an effort to locate the two missing members of Rescue 116.

The search will begin at 6am on Saturday morning with 157 men and women searching the waters around Blackrock Lighthouse.

Crewmen Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith have been missing since their helicopter crashed on March 14.

The bodies of their colleagues - Captain Dara Fitzpatrick and Captain Mark Duffy - were recovered last month.

Two of the crew of Rescue 116: (left to right) Dara Fitzpatrick and Ciaran Smith

On Saturday morning, the Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers will carry out a thorough search of Blackrock.

The dive has been organised by West Cork Underwater Search and Rescue.

Around 20-25 boats will be used to bring the divers out on site and there will be four local boats searching the Blackrock area also.

Command boats will leave Blacksod Bay at 6am, with the first dive boats departing at 7.30am.

Members of the local community in Blacksod have offered to provide beds for the volunteers and will also be providing breakfast and dinner for the search crew.

"People from all across Ireland are coming together for this, as we hope to locate the two members of Rescue 116 who are lost at sea," a source said.

Despite ongoing searches, winch operator Paul Ormsby and winchman Ciaran Smith have not been found.

The helicopter they were travelling in crashed when it was en route to Blacksod to refuel after being deployed to provide cover for a rescue mission.