Two Lithuanian fishermen who survived for almost a day in raging seas off the coast of Waterford have said they are unlikely to return to the seafaring life.
Speaking through an interpreter in Kinsale yesterday, Viktoz Losev and Vladimir Kostvr described the incident in which two crew members lost their lives.
Kinsale native Ger Bohan and Polish national Tomasz Jagla are both feared drowned following last Thursday's sinking of the Honeydew II.
"It was really tragic how it happened because they saw the other fellows [ Ger and Tomasz] and how they died. They tried to help them but it was really too hard for them to. They tried to help Ger - they did their best but it was too late.
"They are in shock really - they did the best they can. They reckon that waves broke down the side of the timber of the boat. It happened very quickly - it was about four minutes. It was a very big wave - about 15 metres. I think they will never go back to the sea any more. They have to think very seriously about that," said interpreter Amber McNamara.
Mr Losev and Mr Kostvr, who are both in their late 40s, attended weekend Masses at St John the Baptist Church in Kinsale where prayers were offered for missing father-of-four Ger Bohan and Polish father-of-two Tomasz Jagla.
Canon John O'Mahony described Ger Bohan as an honourable man who lived for his wife Mary and their children Anthony (18), Sally Jean (11), James (9) and six-year-old Joseph.
He said Tomasz Jagla was very well liked and respected in Kinsale having moved to the town a year ago with his wife Anita and the couple's two children.
"The survivors are indicating at this stage that Ger stayed with the boat. So the hope is that they will find his body on the boat. We are praying that the bodies will be recovered so that funerals can take place."
Ger Bohan's father, Seán, yesterday paid tribute to the people of Kinsale for their support. He said the reality of what had happened was hitting home and that Ger's children had come to the realisation that their father wasn't coming back.
"I want to thank the local people for their magnificent support. I couldn't believe the effort and support given to us. I hope they will be rewarded for their efforts. Ger's children now accept that he is not coming back alive."
Mr Bohan said his son had a passion for the seafaring life from a very young age, after he had won an angling competition when he was aged eight.
Meanwhile, Ger Bohan's wife Mary was visited yesterday by Minister for State Pat the Cope Gallagher and Fianna Fáil TD Dennis O'Donovan.
Mr O'Donovan called for the lifting of both the Honeydew II and the Pere Charles, the other trawler that sank last week with five fishermen on board.
However, Pat the Cope Gallagher said it was premature to talk about raising the trawlers.
"My priority today was to come down and meet with the families and I met of course the two survivors. Our priority at the moment is to find the bodies. It is important to establish the location of the Honeydew.
"I understand that the telephones may indicate where that is. The priority is to try and find all of the bodies. This [ talk of lifting the trawlers] is much too early. Our priority is, and we have to be human about this, is to respond to the wishes of the families to hopefully recover the bodies," he said.
Prayers will continue to be offered at Masses in Kinsale and elsewhere in Co Cork this week for the missing fishermen.
A special Mass for the seven fishermen lost at sea last week will be held this evening at 8pm at the Star of the Sea Church in Ballycotton, Co Cork.
A book of condolences will be available for signing in the church.
Seven candles will also remain burning at St John the Baptist Church in Kinsale until the bodies are recovered.