Written Answers. - Waterford Salvage Operation.
Brendan Kenneally
Question:
25
Mr. Kenneally
asked the
Minister for the Marine
the reason the company given the contract to lift the trawler, Jenalisa, did not arrive in Dunmore East, County Waterford, on the specified date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5163/96]
Liam Aylward
Question:
26
Mr. Aylward
asked the
Minister for the Marine
the tenderers for the contract to lift the trawler, Jenalisa; the date(s) on which each tenderer stated that they could commence operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5160/96]
Matt Brennan
Question:
28
Mr. M. Brennan
asked the
Minister for the Marine
the reason the company given the contract to lift the trawler, Jenalisa, did not arrive in Dunmore East, County Waterford, on the specified date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5162/96]
Brendan Kenneally
Question:
30
Mr. Kenneally
asked the
Minister for the Marine
the tenderers for the contract to lift the trawler, Jenalisa; the date(s) on which each tenderer stated that they could commence operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5159/96]
Matt Brennan
Question:
32
Mr. M. Brennan
asked the
Minister for the Marine
the tenderers for the contract to lift the trawler, Jenalisa; the date(s) on which each tenderer stated that they could commence operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5158/96]
Liam Aylward
Question:
38
Mr. Aylward
asked the
Minister for the Marine
the reason the company given the contract to lift the trawler, Jenalisa, did not arrive in Dunmore East, County Waterford, on the specified date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5161/96]
Noel Treacy
Question:
50
Mr. N. Treacy
asked the
Minister for the Marine
the tenderers for the contract to lift the trawler, Jenalisa; the date(s) on which each tenderer stated that they could commence operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5157/96]
Noel Treacy
Question:
51
Mr. N. Treacy
asked the
Minister for the Marine
the reason the company given the contract to lift the trawler Jenalisa, did not arrive in Dunmore East, County Waterford, on the specified date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5164/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 50 and 51 together.
As the House is aware, I dealt in some detail with the tragic loss on theJenalisa in the context of an Adjournment Debate in this House on 28 February last.
Before dealing with the specifics of the questions, I would like to take this opportunity to bring the House up to date on developments.
The position now is that the salvage operation has been completed. The vessel has been delivered to Waterford port where a full inspection has commenced. Preliminary indications are that damage to the vessel is consistent with an impact. I must stress that this does not necessarily mean that the boat was involved in a collision. I cannot and will not speculate on the nature, cause or circumstances of the impact. That will be a matter for the investigating marine surveyor.
Unfortunately the bodies of Peter Nolan and Niall Power were not found on board. I am assessing whether further surface or coastal searches are warranted or would be likely to be productive.
I want to thank the salvage team, Celtic Diving and Salvage, for effecting the raising and delivery to Waterford of theJenalisa in a successful and efficient manner. I also want to thank the Naval and Garda divers for their unstinting help in the search for bodies and the inspection of the vessel. I want to express my appreciation of the RNLI for their help and of the tremendous co-operation received at all times from the fishermen of Dunmore East and the south east generally.
I also wish to again express my sincere sympathies to the relatives of the three fishermen who were lost. Peter Nolan, Niall Power and Conor O'Grady. The House will be aware of the particular pain of the Nolan and Power families arising from the fact that no trace of these fishermen has been found to date.
Turning to the matter of the arrangements for the salvage of the vessel, the decision to raise the vessel was made on 16 February on foot of the strong recommendation of the investigating marine surveyor. Tenders were sought the same day, these were received on 20 February and a contract was placed on 21 February.
Three companies tendered for the raising of theJenalisa. They were Celtic Diving and Salvage, North East Diving Services Ltd. and Haulbowline Industries. All three tenderers were required to undertake the salvage in accordance with the “Notice to Persons Tendering”. This provided in particular that the successful tenderer would be expected to take advantage of the “next suitable weather window”. Following the award of the tender to North East Diving Services, it was agreed between my Department and the salvor that the latter would be on site by Saturday 24 February. The key factor in the decision to award the contract related to the means and techniques to be used to raise the vessel so as to ensure as far as possible that the vessel was not damaged in the process. If any of the proposals offered by the other tenderers had been accepted, the requirement would have been that the operation would have commenced within three to five days weather permitting.
Weather and technical difficulties delayed the arrival of the chosen salvage vessel. It was originally expected to arrive in Dunmore East on Saturday 24 February, then on Monday. It emerged later that further difficulties meant that the salvage vessel would not be on site until well into the week beginning 4 March 1996. Officials of my Department reviewed the position with the contractor on 28 February. It was made clear to him that, in view of the these delays, the terms of the agreement had been breached and that there was no option but to regard it as terminated. Alternative options were reviewed including an alternative option offered by the original salvor. An alternative arrangement was subsequently made with Celtic Diving and Salvage based on full assessment of all relevant factors.
The contract was awarded to Celtic Diving and Salvage on 28 February and they arrived on site on 4 March. It must be emphasised that the arrangements entered into with Celtic Diving and Salvage were substantially different from those offered by that company in the original tenders.
It is regretted that there was a delay in the raising of the vessel. It is clear that over a week was lost but that this was due to factors entirely outside the Department's control.
