Irish authorities are investigating the disappearance of a member of the Royal Auxiliary Fleet. After two days, the search mission was abandoned
Irish authorities have launched an investigation into a member of the Royal Auxiliary Fleet who has been reported missing off the north-west coast of Ireland. After almost two days of searching, the rescue operation was stopped, without the soldier being found.
The soldier disappeared on board the RFA ship Tidesurge. PHOTO: Wikipedia
The Ministry of Defense in Great Britain has announced a tragic outcome in the case of the British Navy crew member who went missing in the waters off the north-west of Ireland. The military sailor, on board the RFA support vessel Tidesurge, has not been seen since Friday evening, at around 10.30pm, when he was last seen on deck.
Authorities were alerted on Saturday morning when the Irish Coast Guard received an emergency call from the British vessel and immediately launched a large-scale search operation. The intervention area was a vast one, being contained between the island of Tory (Donegal) and the island of Eagle (Mayo), reports the Mirror.
According to the Irish Department of Transport, several air and naval resources were quickly mobilized: the Rescue 120F plane from Shannon, the Rescue 118 helicopter from Sligo and the CASA 284 aircraft of the Irish Air Corps. At sea, the crew of the British support vessel coordinated an intensive search, alongside three RNLI lifeboats from Ballyglass, Arranmore and Lough Swilly.
On Monday, November 17, after two days of continuous missions, authorities announced the end of operations, and Defense Secretary John Healey sent a message of condolences to the family of the missing serviceman.
“Following an extensive search, we are deeply saddened to confirm that the missing RFA Tidesurge crew member has not been found. My thoughts are with his family at this tragic time, as well as fellow crew members. I am extremely grateful to the Irish authorities, the RNLI, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, who responded quickly to this incident and worked tirelessly in the search operations“, the official said.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense confirmed, in turn, the abandonment of the search mission.
“Following an extensive search for a missing crew member of a Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessel, the person has not been found and the search has ended. The person's family have been informed and an investigation is currently underway into the incident. No other people have been injured or reported missing.”
according to an official statement.
The family of the sailor, whose identity has not been made public, has requested total discretion at this time.
