Irish men missing in San Francisco 'best sailors on the bay'

Friends and family shocked as search for missing sailors passes “survivability” time frame

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Coast Guard search for missing sailors off San Francisco

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Cahill, a professional sailor, emigrated a decade ago from from Killeen.

Alan Cahill's mother Noreen told the Herald, "Sailing was Alan's life -- he loved the sea and his sailing friends."

He was known as “Irish Alan” in the prestigious San Francisco Yacht Club (SFYC) the Corkman was fondly known as "Irish Alan". His mother said he adored his life in the US but insisted on keeping in touch with his family based in Cork.

She said, "He came back to Cork fairly regularly and always went to Crosshaven and Kinsale to visit friends. Everyone out there (US) and here in Cork is devastated by this. We are absolutely heartbroken.

"We have priceless memories of Alan -- he was a fantastic son. We just cannot believe what has happened."

Doctor Elmer Morrissey, a postdoctoral fellow at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, was originally from Glounthaune, near Cork City, according to San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Dr Morrissey's parents, Michael and Ena, were on vacation in Spain when they received the tragic news. His sister, Kelda, was in the UK but will travel to San Francisco with her parents.

A colleague at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Spencer Dutton, said, “Elmer believed and lived the philosophy that if you are at peace, you are living in the present…Through his sailing, meditation and sports, Elmer found peace."

His friend Shanthi Sekaran said, “He was a rare and true friend, and it feels absolutely unreal and unjust that he's gone.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing assistance to the families travelling to the US.

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