The search by lifeboats and coastguards has been called off

Local fisherman in Kilkeel said they would continue to search for Colin Donnelly, 30, whose boat, Emerald Dawn, sank about six miles off the town.

Shane Murnaghan, 28, who had been with Mr Donnelly, was rescued from a life raft on Thursday morning.

An air and sea rescue operation was launched when the pair failed to return to port on Wednesday afternoon.

Rescue operation

The two men had been fishing for crabs off Kilkeel and had been expected to return to the harbour at about 1300 GMT.

Lifeboats and helicopters searched the sea throughout the night but could find no trace of the men or their craft.

At daybreak on Thursday, a team of divers joined the search, which concentrated on a trail of lobster pots.

Mr Murnaghan was discovered at 1120 GMT on Thursday drifting nine miles south of the Isle of Man.

He was conscious when picked up from a life raft and is suffering from hypothermia. He is being treated at the Noble's Hospital in Douglas.

A hospital spokesman said he had climbed out of the rescue helicopter unaided and was in a stable condition.

Mr Murnaghan's mother Rita said: "At the moment we really only want to get Colin home.

"He was just like another son to us.

Henry and Rita Murnaghan's son Shane was rescued

"We know our own son's alright. He does not want to speak to anybody all. He is worried about is Colin."

Mrs Murnaghan said she had spoken to her son and he was very weak.

She said: "He just told me that he does not know what happened and all he is worried about is Colin."

Alex Slater, superintendent of the Fisherman's Mission in Kilkeel, said the events of the past two days had hit the community hard.

He said: "There is an emptiness. Those who have been involved in the search feel empty. They feel that they have failed in finding a loved one, a friend, a colleague.

Underwater search

"You can see it in their faces. They feel sad that they have not been able to locate Colin."

Sgt Elvin Leech, head of the underwater search unit, said the wreck of the men's fishing vessel had been discovered about six miles off the coast of Kilkeel.

He said the boat was lying in about 40 metres of water and there was no sign of any major damage.