Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 3

Adjournment Debate. - Marine Incident.

Mr. Timmins

I thank the Chair for selecting this important and serious matter. We have a significant coastal erosion problem – a study a number of years ago by the City and County Managers Association estimated some 1,500 kms to be at risk with 490 kms needing immediate attention. The area of Bray harbour was included in that. In his efforts to address the problem the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources sanctioned work on the Bray coastal protection scheme. This commenced in 1998. Phase one consisted of the construction of a breakwater and groyne and was completed last year. The present phase comprises repairs to the harbour wall. These started in 1999 and should be completed this year. The work involves the removal of obstructions on the seabed, driving permanent steel piles and constructing a new concrete wall encasing the piles over a length of approximately 100 meters. In addition, a concrete deck slab will be constructed over the entire 240 meters of the existing south pier. The cost of the works is estimated at £1 million.

On Monday last, a barge which had been used to assist in the works and owned by Ascon, the civil engineering company, drifted from its base at the south pier in Bray harbour when three of the six steel cables securing it gave way. For a while, due to the fact that the barge was holding 7,500 tons of diesel, there was concern that a serious environmental accident could take place. Thankfully, due to the good work of many bodies, this threat has been averted and it now appears that 95% of the oil has been offloaded. A tug, the Vanguard, has made efforts to bring the barge to Dublin Port. However, its first attempt failed and I believe it will renew its efforts tomorrow.

Concerns have been raised and I ask the Minister if he is satisfied with the safety precautions taken by this contractor. Has a similar incident occurred with this contract? What measures has the Department taken to ensure they will not recur? Was it necessary for the barge to contain this quantity of diesel? What is the maximum amount it has contained? Has the Minister any plans to address this? Is he satisfied that the barge can be removed? What impact will this incident have on the project? It is important that the Minister clarify these matters as soon as possible. What method, if any, has his Department in place to monitor such contracts? If there is not any, what plans are there to implement same?

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

At 08.49 hours on Monday—

Mr. Kenny

On the maritime clock.

Mr. Fahey

—3 April 2000, Ascon advised the coastguard that the barge which it was using in the construction work at Bray harbour had broken adrift and damaged itself. The coast guard was advised that the barge had 35,000 litres of diesel oil on board and was unmanned.

The coastguard tasked its Dublin helicopter to carry out an aerial survey to check whether diesel oil was leaking from the barge. The Greystones coast guard unit was also tasked to assess the area from the shore and the Bray harbour master was advised. The aerial survey indicated at 09.15 hours that no leakage was occurring but that it would be dangerous to put people on board to attempt to stabilise the position. At this time, the barge was subjected to a heavy pounding by the sea and it was neither possible to winch people onto it by helicopter nor to gain access from the shore. Bray UDC was advised of the position.

In view of the fact that the 35,000 litres of diesel oil presented a significant risk of pollution, the following action was taken. The coast guard dispatched the incident manager to take charge of on scene management at 09.50 hours, its marine pollution response team was activated as a prudent precautionary measure, two surveyors from the Department's marine survey office were winched onto the barge at 11.27 hours when tidal conditions allowed for this to be done safely, 12,000 litres of diesel oil were offloaded into road tankers by 21.41 hours, leaving 23,000 tons and the barge was subsequently secured for the night.

At 06.00 hours today the tug Voyager from Holyhead arrived on the scene. By 09.30 hours, 31,000 litres of oil were removed. At 11.55 hours, with the aid of the coast guard helicopter from Dublin, the securing of the tug to the barge commenced. At 13.06 hours the line from the barge parted and the towing winch on the tug Vanguard failed. The tug returned to Dublin to repair the winch and the barge was re-secured. The barge is damaged on the port side and will require repairs.

The next attempt to refloat the barge will be on tomorrow morning's tide. The marine surveyors and coast guard personnel will remain on scene. Four thousand litres of oil remain on the barge which is still aground. While there remains a risk of pollution, this is greatly reduced and is being managed on scene. A surveyor from the marine survey office has been appointed under section 728 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, to carry out a full investigation into this incident and to report to me on his findings.

The works being carried out at Bray by Ascon is part of the on-going coastal protection work which is designed to protect the historic sea front at Bray and is being undertaken in three phases. Throughout the operation, full co-operation was given to my officials by Ascon.

I thank my officials, volunteers and the Dublin coast guard helicopter for their work in managing this difficult incident and in reducing the risk of pollution. I wish all involved well tomorrow in the further attempt to refloat the barge. While the risk of pollution is greatly reduced, I assure the House that we will do all we can to avoid any pollution in Bray harbour.