A report into an incident in which two men drowned on an angling trip off Donegal in 2017 has concluded that it is likely the men’s boat may have been swamped or capsized, throwing them overboard.
Rimantas Barauskas, 56, who lived in Oldcastle, Co Meath and Raimundas Jezdauskas, 33, who lived in Ballymahon, Co Longford, both originally from Lithuania, drowned off Málainn Bhig (Malin Beg) Head in July 2017.
RTE has reported that the Marine Casualty Investigation Board investigation into the tragedy said it was clear from witness statements that the crew had difficulty with the outboard engine. The wind direction was westerly and the vessel on a lee shore.
Without an anchor and with an unreliable engine in such a situation a vessel would quickly find itself in difficulties, according to the report which states that it is likely the vessel drifted into an area of surf and breaking waves.
The report noted that the men had departed from the pier at Teileann (Teelin) and had planned to be away for the weekend but had made no arrangements to check in with a person ashore as to their progress during the trip.
The investigation also established that the same vessel and crew had run out of fuel on 28 May 2017 and the Coast Guard had assisted by providing a tow from near Málainn Bhig Head to Teileann pier.
The report also noted that only one man was wearing a personal flotation device when the bodies were recovered.
An inquest into the men’s deaths held in Donegal last year heard medical evidence that both men had died as a result of drowning but that both had elevated alcohol levels.
Mr Barauskas would have been seven times over the drink-driving limit for alcohol, according to the coroner Dr Denis McCauley.
He said that the men’s deaths were accidental and very sad but their decision-making would have been impaired by alcohol and so he returned a verdict of death by misadventure.
The MCIB report recommends that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport issue a Marine Notice reminding individuals of their obligations to comply with the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft.
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