The search for missing West Cork fisherman, Kodie Healy has been stood down for the night.

Up to thirteen trawlers, alongside dozens of local inshore boats, assisted in the search for Kodie today, and a number were on the scene this evening, along with Castletownere RNLI, the Schull Coast Guard rib, the survey vessel Keary and the LÉ George Bernard Shaw, which was deployed to Dunmanus Bay last night and tasked as On-Scene Coordinator.

Valentia Coast Guard has been co-ordinating the land, sea and air search—which was launched on Wednesday night when Kodie failed to return home from sea—between Coast Guard helicopters, the RNLI, Navy, An Gárda Síochána, Coast Guard shore units and local volunteers.

Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter R115 conducted searches this morning. Shoreline searches are being conducted by the Schull and Goleen Coast Guard units, and a naval service diving team is also participating in the search.

Though people are understandably anxious to help, with poor weather conditions, the Gardaí appealed today to the public not to put their own lives at risk in the search.

Speaking at Bantry Garda Station, Supt Declan O’Sullivan said: ‘On behalf of all of the agencies involved in this search operation, I would ask for members of the public not to put their lives at risk by taking to the water around the search area, or by walking around the shoreline and cliff edges, in an attempt to assist us. We understand that your assistance is well-intentioned, but you are putting yourself at risk in poor weather conditions.’

‘Some of the larger, well equipped local fishing vessels have been assisting us with our operation and we wish to thank them for their efforts thus far. Emergency services will indicate what assistance the public could provide if necessary,’ he said.

If you would like to help and are in a position to do so you can make a donation to Lost At Sea Tragedies (LAST), Ireland’s only dedicated charity to helping those who have lost someone at sea, and they will ensure that donation goes towards supporting Kodie’s family and the ongoing search. Donations can be made at: http://last.ie/help/

The search will resume at first light.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Healy family, friends, and all those involved in the search.

Image credit: Andy Gibson