Search continues for young fisherman missing off Dunmanus Bay

THE search is continuing this morning for a young fisherman missing off the West Cork coast since last night.

The fisherman, believed to be local, was fishing on his own near Dunmanus Bay yesterday evening but failed to return home last night and his family alerted Valentia Coast Guard.

The SAR helicopter is involved in the search near the Mizen. (Photo: Andy Gibson)

A rescue mission was tasked and the Rescue 115 helicopter from Shannon joined the search, along with the Irish navy vessel the LE William Butler Yeats, and the Castletownbere and Baltimore lifeboats.

The search was stood down in the early hours of the morning but Rescue 117, based in Waterford, took over from Rescue 115.  

A number of local people have joined in the search this morning.

The LE William Butler Yeats has been joined by local fishermen in the search today. (Photo: Andy Gibson)

The wreckage of a boat was located near Dunmanus bay earlier, but rescuers are not confirming if this is related to the search.

While conditions were generally calm around a large portion of the coast, local people are reporting that the seas in the Mizen area, which is near the notorious Fastnet Rock, were particularly rough yesterday evening and last night.

LÉ William Butler #Yeats #P63 has been tasked by @IrishCoastGuard as On Scene Coordinator (OSC) for #SAR Operations currently underway in Dunmanus Bay Co. Cork. pic.twitter.com/wxNBIwA9Rk

— Irish Naval Service (@naval_service) October 9, 2019

The missing man is believed to come from a well-known fishing family in West Cork.

Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter on its way to #dunmanus bay to join the search for the local fisherman missing off #WestCork coast since last night pic.twitter.com/a2iX97EG7A

— The Southern Star (@SouthernStarIRL) October 10, 2019