asked the Minister for the Marine the action he is taking to prevent environmental damage and pollution to our coastline following the forced abandonment of the MV Toledo off the Irish coast, having regard to the fact that it is reported to be carrying a cargo of potash.
Private Notice Questions. - Abandonment of Cargo Vessel.
asked the Minister for the Marine the steps, if any, which are being taken to ensure that the crippled cargo vessel, the MV Toledo, which is adrift off the south-west coast, having been abandoned by its crew, is secured, in view of the potential pollution threat to the Irish coast or marine environment; if it is intended to allow the vessel to enter Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
asked the Minister for the Marine if he will make a statement on the circumstances giving rise to the MV Toledo being abandoned off the south-west coast; the plans, if any, he has to deal with the problem; and the safeguards being put in place to prevent damage to marine life and pollution of our coastline.
At about a quarter past midnight this morning the UK Coastguard at Falmouth informed MRCC Shannon that the Singapore registered general cargo vessel, the 10,000 tonne gross registered Toledo had sent out a distress message. The vessel was taking water and requested immediate assistance. The vessel was positioned about 250 nautical miles south-west of Mizen Head in the United Kingdom Search and Rescue region.
MRCC Shannon arranged for the opening of Cork Airport to refuel the RAF Sea King helicopter based at Brawdy. Two merchant vessels, the Bow Fortune and the Lahiz stood by the vessel in distress. At 6 a.m. this morning the RAF helicopter took all 20 crew safely off the vessel and ferried them to Cork where they arrived about 7.30 a.m. At the time of abandonment the vessel was at about 150 nautical miles south-west of Mizen Head. Its engines were stopped but its navigation and deck lights were left on.
The vessel is carrying a cargo of 14,000 tonnes standard grade potash fertiliser. It was bound from St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, to Frederika, Denmark. This is not a hazardous cargo in terms of its impact on marine life. The vessel has 310 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 100 tonnes of diesel. There are no reports of any oil leaks.
The Naval Service vessel, LE Deirdre and the tug Samson are making for the vessel. The expected time of arrival of the LE Deirdre and the tug is early tomorrow morning. I have asked the Air Corps to monitor the movement of the ship with its fishery patrol aircraft and this is being done. At quarter past noon today the vessel was 135 nautical miles south-west of Mizen Head and drifting north-east at a rate of two knots.
I have contacted the managers of this vessel and asked them to state their intentions with regard to it. Unlike the recent incident involving the MV Tribulus, there is neither a direct risk to life nor an immediate threat of pollution from this vessel.
I will consider what action should be taken in the light of developments as they emerge.
In the light of the Minister's reply and in view of the fact that the master of the vessel indicated on radio at 1 o'clock that he was heading for Bantry Bay at the time of abandonment, would he not agree that a cargo of potash, plus the diesel and heavy fuel oil which she is carrying would pose a major threat to environment on our coastline? Does the Minister not agree that Bantry Bay has now become the soft target for crippled bulk carries in the south Atlantic?
As far as the diesel is concerned, it is a pollution hazard; as far as the potash is concerned, it is not. No decision has been taken with regard to receiving the ship in Bantry Bay. From my point of view it is quite a different problem when no life is at risk than if life were at risk.
What is the nature of the damage to this ship? It would appear that the damage is fairly extensive as the crew had to be lifted off. Can the Minister say if the ship is in danger of breaking up? What is the extent of the damage to the ship? What is its condition? Has he received any report on it?
Yes, the damage is a 10 metre by 3 metre hole on the port side. When the captain abandoned the ship that hole was full of water.
I have two questions for the Minister, and perhaps I can put them together. Does the Minister understand the apprehension of the people in Bantry Bay and along the south-west coast of the danger of the area becoming a graveyard for disabled ships? He will recall the Kowloon Bridge, the Bardini Reefer and the more recent case of the Tribulus. Would he agree that such a development would be entirely unacceptable? Does the Minister see the need for new legislation to give more control over such vessels which enter our waters? Are there maritime conventions to which we are signatories which have not yet been given the force of law in this country and which, if ratified, would strengthen our hand in dealing with such situations?
I do not think the apprehension, as mentioned by the Deputy, is well based. I would like to assure the people of Bantry Bay that the greatest possible care will be taken by my Department and the Department of Defence to protect the environment and the coast in that particular area. In all modesty I can say that the Tribulus incident has been handled with great care and with great success. Whenever there is a question of life and death we have an obligation. I think the people of this country in general would not forgive anybody, Minister or not, if all care was not taken to preserve human life. With regard to the question the Deputy asked about Conventions I have ready and I hope to bring before the House legislation on sea pollution in this session. That will deal with some of the Conventions the Deputy mentioned.
On that point I understand the urgency of such legislation being put before the Dáil as quickly as possible.
An Leas-Ceann Comhairle
In respect of the questions put and answers given, it would appear to me that the spirit of questions and answers has been satisfied. However I will accept a brief question from Deputy Gilmore and an ever so brief one from Deputy Taylor-Quinn. I hope that will conclude the issue.
I would like to know if the Minister and his Department are familiar with the recent report issued by the International Maritime Organisation in which they have expressed concern about the standard of ships which are plying in the waters, many of which are described as very clapped out vessels unfit to be at sea. In view of the number of cases we have now had of ship break-ups, leaks and so on, does he consider that any international initiative, perhaps through the EC Presidency, would be justified?
That is a separate question.
Does the Minister intend using his position as President of Fishery Ministers within the EC to bring into line the points raised by Deputy Gilmore in relation to the quality of ships travelling our waters? What action is he taking in his position as the President of the Marine Ministers at present because, as Deputy Gilmore has said——
That is bringing new matter into the question. What the Minister proposes to do elsewhere would obviously be a different question.
Without any apparent reason, two ships developed holes in their structure just off the Irish coast in recent weeks. These were relatively modern ships. This House should know what exactly is the attitude of the Minister as President of the Marine Ministers and perhaps he could inform the House.
One is entitled to ask a question to elucidate on what the Minister has already given but new matter cannot be brought into it. If the Minister has any short comment we will ask him to make it.
May I ask the Minister what he intends to do as President of the Council of EC Ministers in relation to the quality of ships travelling the seas?
I think the Deputy is under a misapprehension. This particular ship would not come under the Council of Fisheries as this is a cargo vessel. This is a comparatively young ship as is the Tribulus and the quality of the steel put into these ships is regarded internationally as being very high. Nevertheless Neptune hit and bore holes in both of them.
We must now leave acquatic matters where they are and come ashore now.
Which political party does Neptune support?