THE FINAL PLAN for the salvage of the Tall Ship Astrid should be handed over to the Irish Coast Guard soon for a final sign-off, according to the Department of Transport.
The Dutch training vessel sank after running aground on rocks close to Kinsale on 24 July. All thirty crew members were saved in a large scale multi-agency rescue operation.
Divers who assessed the Astrid in the wake of its sinking last month told the owners of the Dutch vessel she was unlikely to sail again. However, experts say it would be possible to raise the wreck from the sea.
The insurers of the 95-year-old vessel have been discussing a plan with Irish salvage contractors on how to carry out that operation – but the Irish Coast Guard needs to sign-off on what’s agreed before the plan can go ahead.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport told TheJournal.ie today:
The Coast Guard is in regular contact with the Insurance company and understand that the plan is nearing completion.
In the meantime, an exclusion order remains in effect around the vessel, with the Crosshaven Coast Guard carrying out regular patrols in the area.
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