Gardai investigating the death of a diver off west Cork last week hope to retrieve his equipment to determine the precise cause of the accident. Local divers have been assisting in the efforts to locate the equipment used by Mr Nic Gotto (42), of Union Hall, Co Cork, who got into difficulties on Friday six miles off Glandore harbour.
In a tribute to the diver, who is to be buried today, the Irish Underwater Council said the death had been received with shock and regret by all who knew him.
Mr Gotto was using new equipment fitted with a rebreathing apparatus on a chartered dive off the wreck of the Kowloon Bridge.
The apparatus, which recycles a gas mix, allows divers to remain at depth for a longer period. There have been malfunctions with such equipment in the past, and divers have experienced "oxygen hits" where gas is ingested beyond the body's tolerance level.
When Mr Gotto got into difficulties, his equipment was ditched to bring him to the surface. He was airlifted to Cork University Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Mr Gotto was a very experienced diver, and ran a charter business with his vessel Sundancer II.
He is survived by his wife, Rachel, and two daughters.
