An air and sea search off the coast of Co Wicklow coast was stood down this afternoon after failing to find any evidence of a vessel reported to be in trouble on the Irish Sea yesterday.
The alarm was raised shortly after 9 a.m. yesterday when a fishing vessel picked up a Mayday and relayed it to the Irish Coast Guard. No precise latitude or longitude was given during the short message. Weather conditions were good at the time.
Substantial debris was located in a five-mile area during the initial searches yesterday morning. However, the Irish Coast Guard and Naval Service said no report had been received of a missing vessel.
The helicopter and an Air Corps Casa continued an aerial search, while two Naval Service patrol ships, which had been on duty off the east coast as part of the May Day security operation, were also sent to the area.
The LE Aislingand LE Ciarawere joined by RNLI lifeboats from Dún Laoghaire, Arklow, Wicklow and Greystones, while Greystones Coast Guard conducted a shore search.
However, there was no sign of any vessel wreckage, and a check on vessels in fishing ports extending from Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford, up to Dún Laoghaire was carried out by the Irish Coast Guard. The Sikorsky helicopter from Waterford was also called in to relieve the Dublin helicopter.