Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1646. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a ship (details supplied) that ran aground off the Dublin and Wicklow coastline in August 2013 posed a threat to the coastline in terms of pollution; if the sandbanks near the Kisk Bank will pose a threat to other shipping movement in the area in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37552/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Coast Guard that at about 0800 on 20 August 2013, the vessel concerned went aground on the Bray Bank (an extension of the Kish Bank) off the Dublin/Wicklow coastline. There was no pollution reported from the vessel, but as a precaution, the Coast Guard boarded the vessel and sounded the tanks to check their integrity and it was found there was no threat to the coastline. The vessel refloated at the subsequent high tide and proceeded to the Dublin Port for docking the following day.
These Banks are clearly marked on Navigation Charts and appropriate Buoyage is in place to warn shipping.
