RESCUERS ARE HOPEFUL that an underwater search can resume for the five fishermen and their trawler which sank off the coast of Union Hall in west Cork at the weekend.

The coast guard and naval divers will hold a meeting this morning to determine whether divers can take part in the search which is expected to resume at around 9am this morning.

A spokesperson for Valentia Coast Guard confirmed that the coast guard helicopter, several coast guard units and the RNLI will be taking part in the search this morning.

“Weather conditions are a bit more favourable, so we’re hopeful,” a spokesperson told TheJournal.ie.

Weather conditions yesterday prevented divers from attempting to reach the site of the sunken trawler, the Tit Bonhomme, although naval divers did complete some dives in the bay at Union Hall, known as Glandore Bay.

The ship sank on Sunday morning with Michael Hayes, 52, Kevin Kershaw, 21, as well as Egyptian nationals Wael Mohammed, Saied Ali Eldin and Attia Shaban all missing.

Wael’s elder brother Abdou survived the disaster and was yesterday at the harbour in Union Hall along with other members of the Egyptian community who have gathered in the area.