Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 5

Written Answers. - Marine Accidents.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

35 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 175 of 14 November 2000, the reason he did not disclose the registered owners of the tug boat Burow, which sank at Clogher Head Pier, County Louth; if he will now state this information; the date of registration from the name of the previous owners; the application date for transfer where the tug boat originated from; the sequence of events which led to its towing from Howth to Clogher Head Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26731/00]

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

I wish to inform the Deputy that the reason I did not disclose the registered owners of the sunken tug boat at Clogher Head Pier, County Louth was because, as stated in my reply on 14 November last, I have no direct role in relation to the removal of the said vessel.

However I can now confirm, having checked with both Louth County Council and Customs and Excise in Dundalk, that the tug boat that sank at Clogher Head Harbour during the recent gales is named the Buron 1 and I assume, therefore, that this is the vessel to which the Deputy refers.

According to the relevant records the registered owner of the Buron 1 is Marine Blast Limited, Cartown, Ballymakenny, Drogheda, County Louth. Marine Blast Limited became the registered owner of the vessel on 26 September 1994.

The location of the tug boat Buron 1 at Clogher Head Harbour was brought to the attention of officials in my Department by the Clogher Head Fishermen's Organisation in July of this year. At that time the local receiver of wreck concluded that the tug boat could not be classified as a wreck as it was moored at Clogher Head pier. Section 39(2) of the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993 defines a wrecked or stranded vessel as including a vessel which is sunk, partially sunk, wrecked, grounded, stranded or abandoned.

Following the recent sinking of the tug boat Louth County Council decided that while the vessel could not be considered a hazard to navigation it was an obstruction to other users of the harbour.

I have already given details of the county council's powers in my reply of 14 November. As previously advised, section 52 of the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act, 1993 gives the appropriate authority the power to remove or render harmless an offending wreck and to recover the expenses incurred from the relevant person. In this instance Louth County Council, in addition to having the power to remove a wreck where it is likely to be an obstruction or danger to navigation or lifeboats, also have the discretion to act if the wreck constitutes a threat to the marine environment or to related interests.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.