The Chief Executive of Drogheda Port Company, Paul Fleming, has contacted Drogheda Life about what he considers to be inaccuracies in a report published on Wednesday January 10 regarding the Hebble Sand dredger.
The derelict vessel has been the subject of much public concern over the years but that concern increased when the Hebble Sand temporarily foundered at its moorings in September 2022.
As regards the alleged no show at this month’s meeting (January 8) he said the invitation was not received by the Port Company until January 2nd and on the 4th of January the company contacted Louth County Council to advise that key personnel were on leave, including the Chief Executive and Harbourmaster and they would not be in a position to attend the meeting.
Mr. Fleming said: “I am sure that you would agree that your headline ‘Drogheda Port ignores council requests to discuss Hebble Sand’ is misleading and not a fair representation of the facts.”
“The updated position on the dredger is monitored by the Company on an ongoing basis and Louth County Council is kept fully advised. The merits of a meeting to discuss the removal of the vessel are not clear, given the council, and I assume the councillors, have access to all the up to date information.
“The company engages on an ongoing basis with local councillors and TD’s with a view to having the vessel removed. A number of local TDs, following briefings by the port company, are currently engaged with Government and the statutory authorities to facilitate the removal of the vessel.”
While it is ultimately the responsibility of the owners of the vessel to remove it, Mr. Fleming said that, far from ignoring the situation regarding the fate of the Hebble Sand, the company and Harbourmaster of the Port are in constant and ongoing contact with the vessel owners to ensure the removal of the vessel.
“Currently we believe the owners have applied to the Marine Survey Office (MSO) for the vessel to be inspected and discussions are live and ongoing with a number of potential scrapping interests. Importantly, Drogheda Port Company and Louth County Council are satisfied that the vessel does not present an environmental concern and this is regularly monitored. Any oils and fuels were removed from the vessel previously.
“It can be both complex and expensive to dispose of a vessel of this size and this is further exacerbated by the fact that the company which owns the Hebble Sand, Larchville Ltd. is an insolvent company.
“However the owners have to date show a willingness not to walk away and to find a solution to remove the vessel. There is a universal willingness from Drogheda Port, Louth County Council and the owners to remove the vessel as quickly and safely as possible.
“We are hopeful that the challenges can be overcome and the vessel removed as soon as possible.”
Drogheda Life contacted the Marine Survey Office and a spokesperson explained the situation by saying: “The Merchant Shipping Load Lines Regulations require that a vessel is issued with a Certificate or Exemption before proceeding to sea.
“Owners/operators of vessels requiring Load Line Certification must complete a survey application form and pay the statutory fee to the Mercantile Marine Office. The Marine Survey Office (MSO) requires the applicant to make such necessary arrangements for the required survey.
“A survey application has been received by the MSO in respect of the Hebble Sand. However, the MSO cannot discuss details of surveys that are being undertaken by it with third parties, without the consent of the applicant.”
