Keeping the drugs ship, MV Mathew, detained in Cork Harbour, has cost the State €10,881,018 so far, and it still has not been sold.
A preferred bidder has been identified by the Revenue Commissioners but is not being revealed in public as “this information is commercially sensitive.”
€2,542,339 has been paid for berthing to the Port of Cork company; maintenance has cost €4,439,011 and crewing €3,899,666.
These figures were given by the Revenue Commissioners today at the commissioning ceremony for their new Cutter, RCC Cosaint (meaning ‘Protection’) in Kinsale.
The Special Maritime Unit of the Commissioners is based in Cork, from where it covers 3,173 kilometres of coastline, using other locations as necessary for operational reasons. The new Cutter will operate with the other vessel in the Revenue fleet, Suirbheir. Photo: Bob Bateman
The Special Maritime Unit of the Commissioners is based in Cork, from where it covers 3,173 kilometres of coastline, using other locations as necessary for operational reasons. The new Cutter will operate with the other vessel in the Revenue fleet, Suirbheir. The RCC Faire is being “retired from service.”
The cost of the MV. Mathew has to be taken in context with the record-breaking seizure of the vessel carrying 2,353kgs.of cocaine, valued at €157m. and the overall figure of €654 million of drugs seized by Revenue since January 2023.
The drugs ship, MV. Mathew, detained in Cork Harbour
A broker was appointed to sell the MV Mathew last December, and the bidding process concluded in the first quarter of this year, identifying the preferred bidder.
A significant number of “regulatory obligations” remain to be completed before the ship can be removed from Cork Harbour. Following engagement between Revenue, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and officials in the vessel’s Flag State, Panama, “it is anticipated that these difficulties can be addressed and progress in the disposal made, a key priority and all steps to complete as expeditiously as possible are being undertaken,” the Revenue Commissioners said in their statement today.
The new Cutter RCC Cosaint costs nearly €9 million, has a gross tonnage of 204, measures 35 metres in length, with a beam of 7.3 meters and a draught of 2.05 meters. It can reach a top speed of 18 knots and has a range of 750 nautical miles Photo" Bob Bateman
The new Cutter costs nearly €9m., has 204 gross tonnage, is 35 metres long, with a beam of 7.3 and a draught of 2.05. Its top speed is 18 knots, with a range of 750 nautical miles. Four Commanders have been appointed. The vessel has a crew of ten, operating on a 14-day roster.
