Outboard engine difficulties may have led to the loss of two Derry anglers in an accident off north Donegal last year.
The official investigation into the deaths of Thomas Boyd (69) and John January (44), both from Derry, in Sheephaven Bay, Co Donegal, in May 2004, also found that there was insufficient emergency equipment on board the 15ft boat owned by Mr Boyd when the incident occurred.
There were no pyrotechnics or other means of making sound signals on the vessel, according to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB).
Neither of the men had mobile phones with them, but there would have been no signal in the area at the time in any case.
The men - a father and son-in-law - had set out on an angling expedition on May 3rd last year from Bath Point and were heading for Yellow Rock in the Ards Bay area of Sheephaven Bay. They left a note saying they would be home at 4.45pm.
A small-craft warning had been issued that morning by the Met Éireann sea area forecast, and weather at the time of the incident was westerly force four to five with moderate seas.
After 2pm a jetskier found a body in the water wearing a lifejacket at Sheephaven Bay.
A search and rescue operation was initiated by the Irish Coast Guard and a second body, also wearing a lifejacket, was located by the Mulroy Coast Guard unit at 3.12pm. Several minutes later, a search helicopter located an upturned boat in the water.
Mr Boyd had checked weather forecasts periodically on the Ceefax teletext service over the previous weekend, and had reportedly checked his boat engine on May 1st and said it was "running like a clock".
Earlier that week, he had taken the engine to a family friend as it wouldn't "turn over" and it was pointed out that the engine was overheating. Repairs were carried out before the May 3rd trip.
The MCIB report notes that the men launched their boat in relatively sheltered and calm waters at the moorings, and a problem occurred with the engine shortly afterwards.
The report says this problem cannot be determined conclusively, but the cover of the engine appeared to have been removed by the men. It was also discovered that the shearing pin on the engine's propeller had broken.
Examination of the men's lifejackets showed that they had not been serviced regularly. The pair were restricted by heavy gear, including waders, and Mr Boyd couldn't swim.
