Vol. 462 No. 7
119 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Marine if he will release to Deputy Broughan the report on the explosion on board the Schiaffino on 8 April 1993, at Dublin port in order that solicitors acting for injured workers may process pending legal action. [5355/96]
An explosion took place on board a vessel called Schiaffino, registered in the Bahamas, while dry-docked in Dublin port on 8 April 1993. The explosion took place during the course of welding operations which were being carried out on the vessel. Two persons were injured as a result of this accident. The vessel was then in the course of undergoing repairs at “Liffey Dry Docks” (“Liffey Dockyard and Ship Repair Ltd”).
A representative from the Departments Marine Survey Office (MSO) subsequently visited the scene of the incident. As the accident, however, was not concerned with a maritime safety issue, as such, and as ship-repairs and dry docks accidents are properly the remit of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the incident was not pursued further by the Department. Responsibility for any follow-up action, as necessary, was passed to the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) and it is understood that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident was in fact carried out by the Health & Safety Authority (HSA). Any queries regarding this investigation should be referred directly to that authority.
