NAVAL SERVICE DIVERS will begin the next phase in the recovery of Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 today.
This will include attempts to lift the helicopter from the sea bed.
The body of Captain Mark Duffy was recovered from the wreckage of the downed aircraft over the weekend, however two crew members remain missing.
The remaining missing crew members are winch operator Paul Ormsby and winchman Ciarán Smith. The crew members have been missing since the Sikorsky S92 helicopter disappeared on its way to refuel at Blacksod lighthouse on 13 March.
Captain Dara Fitzpatrick was recovered from the sea and died later in hospital.
The black box flight recorder has been recovered from the wreckage and has been sent to the UK to have its contents downloaded and analysed.
The wreckage of the helicopter is some 40 metres below the sea near Blackrock lighthouse, eight miles from Blacksod in County Mayo.
The swells around the lighthouse have hampered recovery efforts, being described as ‘extremely challenging’ by searchers. It is hoped those swells will die down today to allow a search take place below the wreckage.
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