The Tullaghmurray Lass
Encyclopedia
The Tullaghmurray Lass was a prawn
fishing boat based in Kilkeel
, County Down
, Northern Ireland
.
On 14 February 2002 the Tullaghmurray Lass left Kilkeel Harbour to fish for prawns. When the boat failed to return when expected a huge search mission was organised involving local fishing boats, the RNLI, HM Coastguard
, the Royal Navy
and the Irish Navy. (including two helicopters, a Hawker-Siddeley Nimrod and the minesweeper
HMS Bridport
)
The extensive search continued for two months, the issue being raised in the Northern Ireland Assembly
. Eventually the main body of the wreckage and the bodies of the three crew were recovered. The three victims were from the same family. Michael Green (54), his son (32) and grandson (8), both of whom were also called Michael, died in the accident. Initial reports suggested that the sinking was caused by a collision with a larger vessel. However the official inquest found that a gas explosion on the boat causing huge damage caused it to sink. In the same year another Kilkeel boat was lost in Carlingford Lough
, causing one death. The accidents raised safety fears on the Kilkeel fleet. In 2006 the death of two further fishermen aboard the Greenhill from nearby port Ardglass
raised further concerns.
Prawn
Prawns are decapod crustaceans of the sub-order Dendrobranchiata. There are 540 extant species, in seven families, and a fossil record extending back to the Devonian...
fishing boat based in Kilkeel
Kilkeel
Kilkeel is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the main fishing port on the Down coast, and its harbour houses one of the largest fishing fleets in Ireland. It had a population of 6,338 people according to the 2001 Census...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
On 14 February 2002 the Tullaghmurray Lass left Kilkeel Harbour to fish for prawns. When the boat failed to return when expected a huge search mission was organised involving local fishing boats, the RNLI, HM Coastguard
Her Majesty's Coastguard
Her Majesty's Coastguard is the service of the government of the United Kingdom concerned with co-ordinating air-sea rescue.HM Coastguard is a section of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of all civilian maritime Search and Rescue within the UK...
, the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and the Irish Navy. (including two helicopters, a Hawker-Siddeley Nimrod and the minesweeper
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
HMS Bridport
HMS Bridport (M105)
HMS Bridport was a Sandown-class minehunter of the British Royal Navy. She decommissioned in 2004, and is awaiting transfer to the Estonian Navy....
)
The extensive search continued for two months, the issue being raised in the Northern Ireland Assembly
Northern Ireland Assembly
The Northern Ireland Assembly is the devolved legislature of Northern Ireland. It has power to legislate in a wide range of areas that are not explicitly reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and to appoint the Northern Ireland Executive...
. Eventually the main body of the wreckage and the bodies of the three crew were recovered. The three victims were from the same family. Michael Green (54), his son (32) and grandson (8), both of whom were also called Michael, died in the accident. Initial reports suggested that the sinking was caused by a collision with a larger vessel. However the official inquest found that a gas explosion on the boat causing huge damage caused it to sink. In the same year another Kilkeel boat was lost in Carlingford Lough
Carlingford Lough
Carlingford Lough is a glacial fjord or sea inlet that forms part of the border between Northern Ireland to the north and the Republic of Ireland to the south. On its northern shore is County Down and on its southern shore is County Louth...
, causing one death. The accidents raised safety fears on the Kilkeel fleet. In 2006 the death of two further fishermen aboard the Greenhill from nearby port Ardglass
Ardglass
Ardglass is a coastal village in County Down, Northern Ireland and still a relatively important fishing harbour. It is situated on the B1 Ardglass to Downpatrick road, about 11 kilometres to the south east of Downpatrick, in the Lecale peninsula on the Irish Sea. It had a population of 1,668...
raised further concerns.