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Wreckage removal plan for The Astrid to be discussed

Wednesday, 31 July 2013 09:21

Plans to remove the wreck of the stricken tall ship, The Astrid, from the Cork Coast are advancing. The insurers of the 95-year-old Dutch vessel are expected to consider a wreck removal plan today, which could see the ship removed by the end of the week. The news comes ahead of meetings in Cork today between the Irish Coast Guard’s pollution and salvage operations officer, Hugh Barry, and officials of Cork County Council. They're expected to discuss proposals for the removal of the vessel from rocks near Oysterhaven bay. It's expected that once the 3.5 tonnes of diesel still on board are removed a huge floating crane will be used to hoist the wreck on to a barge. It will then be brought to a nearby port to be handed back to the insurers. Meanwhile, reports that looters have targeted the wreck, which was being guarded round-the-clock by the naval service and the coast guard, have been played down. It was reported that the ship’s compass, wheel, and bell may have been taken on Friday night. However, it's claimed the items were missing from the ship’s deck within hours of the incident on July 24th, 2013.

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