“We have no timelines on this” says Port boss
Almost a month to the day after the Hebble Sand dredger sank at its moorings at Drogheda Port leaking diesel and other pollutants into the river Boyne, Councillor Kevin Callan raised the issue at yesterday’s Borough of Drogheda meeting asking for dates for the vessel’s removal.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Callan who has been raising the matter for over 18 months, said he was seriously concerned that if the vessel is not removed from the town as quickly as possible it may deteriorate further, particularly over the winter months.
“I have a fear that this vessel will still be sitting where it is in three or six months’ time” he said. “Every day it is in the town is a day too many, we need specifics as to when it will be dived and when it will be removed”.
Responding to Councillor Callan, Director of Services Paddy Donnelly said that testing done on the water upstream and downstream by the Council show no signs of pollution to be of concern and he further stated that the vessel needed to be dived on ahead of being removed, but that no specific dates had been given”.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Callan said that, the vessel needs to be dived on and moved as speedily as possible.
“The update that the council have been carrying out water testing both up and downstream and there are no issues of concern about pollutants spreading at the minute is a positive but this vessel that has been tied up there since 2014 should not be there” he said.
“Every day it is there with oil lying around it within the protective measures is not acceptable. The Council have also advised that the Department of the Marine are also involved.
“My question is: when the vessel will be dived and inspected, when the vessel will be removed. The concern I have is that the vessel may deteriorate further, and we need to get it out of the town before the winter.”
Councillor Callan said he would continue to work on the issue and liaise with the Council.
Drogheda Port Chief Executive Paul Fleming told Drogheda Life this morning that the Hebble Sand had been refloated and made secure by its owners.
“We understand that the owners are presently in discussion with the Marine Survey Office in terms of its removal from Drogheda Port, (we have) no timelines on this.”
