Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Marine Accidents.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

123 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the investigations held or planned into the loss of the French registered, An Orient, and the British registered, Arosa, off the west coast recently with a heavy loss of life; the progress made in the search for the bodies of the deceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22018/00]

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

The French registered f.v. An Orient sank on 1 October 2000 and while three crew members were rescued, eight crew members are still missing and no bodies have been recovered to date. While search for bodies from the vessel was suspended on 5 October, the situation continues to be monitored by the Irish Coast Guard.

One survivor was rescued from the British registered f.v.Arosa which sank on 3 October 2000 and while six bodies have so far been recovered, six crew members are still missing. My Department has not yet been notified of the identity of the body recovered from the water off the west coast on Sunday last, 15 October 2000. An incident manager from Irish Coast Guard headquarters has been on scene in Rossaveal since the afternoon when the vessel sank, and the search is continuing with the Irish Coast Guard and Air Corps helicopters, Coast Guard coastal units and local people. The incident manager is co-ordinating the search in conjunction with the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre, MRCC, in Dublin.

Under international maritime law, it is the responsibility of the flag state to carry out investigations into marine casualties involving their vessels. I understand that the marine accident investigation branch of the United Kingdom maritime administration has commenced an investigation into the loss of the Arosa and that an inspector from the branch has already visited Galway as part of this investigation. The chief surveyor from the marine survey office of my Department advises me that his office has provided every assistance to the investigation and that all relevant data available have been given to the UK inspector. I am further advised that the French administration has also been in contact with the marine survey office concerning its inquiries into the loss of An Orient and it has likewise been furnished with all the data available in relation to that casualty. My Department will continue to offer every assistance to the UK and French authorities in their respective investigations into these tragic incidents and has asked to be kept informed of the outcome of their investigations in due course.