Sir, - You report about the funeral at the missing sailors of Donegal at Christmas time, and the grief suffered by families.
Grief and undue spending of Government (taxpayers') funds for search and rescue operations could be prevented by speedy implementation of incentives to small fishing boats to be equipped with small EPIRBs for the boat, or for the individual sailor and other electronic navigational assistance besides inflatable rafts (with EPIRBs). Such devices would signal, via satellite, the position of the person or craft in distress and instant location would facilitate rescue.
For one reason or the other, the Government prefers to approve funds for rescue operations once one is drowned instead of investing in preventive measures by approving subsidies limited to small fishing boats and small trawlers. - Yours, etc..
Belderrig, Ballina, Co. Mayo.