Department of the Environment is to monitor Bettystown beach for pollution after a trawler sank off the coast there last weekend.
It indicated so far there is no sign of any environmental damage and there is a low level of diesel risk to the area.
Officials were responding to representations from east Meath councillor Sharon Tolan who raised the issue with them after local people expressed concern to her following the incident.
In a letter to Cllr Tolan, a Department representative said they had been in contact with the Coastguard and Drogheda Port Harbourmaster about the incident.
The executive stated:” The fishing vessel is in Drogheda Port jurisdiction and they are dealing with the owners/insurers. I understand that the fishing vessel is undergoing assessment by its insurers presently.
“The current information is that there is some diesel on board which would be of low risk to pollution on the beach. We will continue to monitor.”
The two fishermen on board were safely rescued from the water by another boat in the area at the time and later taken to hospital.
Clogherhead RNLI which attended the sinking mayday call last Saturday evening has warned local fishing crews to ensure their vessels are well maintained and fully fuelled, and that every crew member has a serviced lifejacket or flotation aid.
Coxswain Gerard Sharkey said carrying an EPIRB or other emergency communication device is essential.
He said:” It was fortunate for these two casualties that another vessel was in the area when their boat sank and that they were able to be taken on board so quickly.”
There have been a number of different incidents involving razor boats getting into difficulty in recent months.
Cllr Tolan thanked everyone who reached out to her over the sinking of the trawler.
She said:” Thankfully those on board were successfully rescued and I want to pay tribute to our Coastguard and Emergency Services that dealt with the rescue swiftly and successfully.
” I have raised the concern of our local community and the possibility of pollution. I will continue to keep an eye on this.”
