#Astrid - The Irish Coast Guard has given approval for a salvage operation on the wreck of the tall ship Astrid off Kinsale, according to The Irish Times.

Afloat.ie reported more than a month ago on the major rescue operation involving the 42ft sail training vessel after it hit rocks inside the Sovereign Islands at Ballymacus Point and began taking on water.

All of the vessel's 30-strong crew were brought to safety in a rescue effort that involved four RNLI lifeboats.

Since the incident on 24 July, an exclusion zone was set up around the wreck site as an investigation as to how the Dutch brig came to run aground, and discussions were entered into as to the possibility of salvaging the vessel.

Earlier this month a number of items, including the ship's bell and compass, were recovered from the wreck by local divers after they were thought to have been stolen in the days after the incident.

Now finally an agreement have been reached between the Astrid's insurers and West Cork based salvage firm Atlantic Towage and Marine for salvage and removal of the 95-year-old tall ship.

Divers with the company have already completed a survey of the wreck and will submit a report to coastguard officials on Monday.

The start date and timescale have not yet been finalised, but it's expected the project would take up to two weeks, weather permitting, once under way.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

#astrid – A month after she hit rocks near Oysterhaven, Kinsale, County Cork, during the Irish Sailing Association (ISA) Gathering Cruise, the 42–metre Dutch Tall Ship Astrid makes a sad picture, still trapped on rocks, her beautiful sails torn and ripped by the sea but amazingly her rig still intact.

A night before the accident, on July 23rd, the only square rigger on the cruise, made for an altogether different picture moored in Oysterhaven Bay.

24 hours later, the 100–year–old vessel hit rocks inside the Sovereign Islands at Ballymacus Point, near Kinsale during a promotional photocall.

The training ship had lost power and was apparently driven on to rocks by a strong southerly wind at the western entrance to Kinsale Harbour. The grounded vessel quickly took on water.

A lot has happened since then, none of it for the good of Astrid though. Thoughts of any salvage attempt of this great hull have fast receded. For now the scene is just a daily reminder why water safety cannot be taken for granted and how impressive the Irish Rescue services were on July 24th, rescuing all 30 crew and trainees.  A number of accident investigations are underway.

For all Afloat's previous stories on the Tall Ship Astrid Rescue click this link.

#Astrid - Items thought to have been stolen from the wreck of the tall ship Astrid near Kinsale have been surprisingly recovered from the vessel this week.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the ship's bell and compass were listed among items believed by owner Pieter De Kam to have been stolen in a night-time raid on the stricken sail training vessel around Friday 26 July.

That was just days after the brig struck rocks near the Sovereign Islands, prompting the rescue of all 30 crew on board.

But according to TheJournal.ie, no report of theft was ever made to gardaí - and a group of divers solved the mystery once and for all two days ago when they recovered the ship's bell, compass and wooden wheel.

TheJournal.ie has more on the story HERE.

#Astrid - The ship's bell and compass are among the items stolen in a dastardly raid on the wreck of the tall ship Astrid near Kinsale, as The Irish Times reports.

Owner of the near-century-old brig Pieter De Kam said that while he is "eternally grateful to the Irish people" for the rescue of all 30 crew on board when the ship struck rocks last Wednesday (24 July), he is "not grateful to whatever Irish people have gone aboard my ship and stolen my compass, my bell and my binnacle".

Breaking the exclusion zone set up around the tall ship - which went down after striking rocks and taking on water in strong winds and heavy seas while taking part in The Gathering Cruise - it appears the thieves slipped in by nightfall at low tide last Friday night (26 July) to grab their ill-gotten loot.

Though the 42-metre sail training vessel remains mostly intact, despite her ordeal, in the water near the Sovereign Islands off Ballymacus Point, it is unlikely that she will sail again due to the severity of damage to her hull.

#Astrid - The Irish Times reports that marine salvage experts met on Friday with insurers of the Dutch tall ship Astrid to determine a wreck removal plan for the sunken vessel.

The sail training ship, which was taking part in The Gathering Cruise around Ireland, capsized after hitting rocks inside the Sovereign Islands near Kinsale in Co Cork on the afternoon of Wednesday 24 July.

All 30 crew on board - including a number of teenage sail trainees - were brought to safety by RNLI lifeboats from Kinsale and Courtmacsherry in a major rescue operation.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, investigations got under way last Thursday 25 July to determine what caused the 42-metre brig to run aground at the mouth of Oysterhaven harbour.

Despite strong winds and rough seas at the time of her foundering, the Astrid remains largely intact apart from rips along the hull.

And according to expert salvage diver Colm Harrington, the 95-year-old ship will be salvageable - using slings to lift the vessel from the water.

However, the severity of the damage sustained means that it's unlikely the Astrid will be restored to her former glory.

The Irish Times has much more on the story HERE.

#tallshipsinking – The hull of the 42–metre–long Tall Ship Astrid appears to remain largely intact on rocks off Kinsale this afternoon, some 24 hours after the Dutch brig foundered during an Irish Sailing Association (ISA) parade of sail at its 'Gathering' Cruise yesterday. The accident now looks likely to be the focus of at least two separate enquiries, according to Afloat sources. News of the accident broke on Afloat.ie yesterday.

An exclusion zone has been set up around the wreck this morning for safety reasons as the Coast Guard assess the damage and wait to hear what action the owners of the Astrid plan on taking. There are a reported 3.5 tonnes of diesel on board Astrid and there is a pollution concern if the ship broke up. Divers are expected to examine the ship today.

There is speculation that a salvage attempt may be possible. The ship appears to be stuck fast on the rocks with little movement in the swell at the mouth of Oysterhaven harbour.

This afternoon the stern of the hull is clearly visible, with three inflated liferafts, lifebuoys and a dinghy still tethered. Both masts and rigging appear intact and sails furled or partially furled. An Irish tricolour courtesy flag is also still flying from the foremast, flown as a token of respect by this visiting vessel to Irish waters.

Both Dutch and Irish Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) inquiries are likely after the Failte Ireland backed 'Gathering Cruise' ran into difficulties with the total loss of the 1918-built Astrid as it made its way along the Cork coast yesterday at noon. It is the same spot where the barque Falls of Garry sank in 1911. (See google map below).

A Mayday call after an engine failure prompted a massive air sea rescue operation as desperate efforts to tow the vessel away from rocks by event organisers failed.

A text book rescue of all 30 people on board was completed when four RNLI lifeboats arrived on scene off Kinsale, County Cork. Winds were southerly and blowing up to force five with a four metre swell hampering the evacuation, according to John Leahy, a participant on the cruise.

A major emergency plan was activated in Cork and a medical emergency team was also on standby at Dublin airport.

As well as Cork lifeboats, the Navy's LE Emer and two Coastguard helicopters were involved in the rescue.

Irish Sailing Association (ISA) organisers have thanked rescue services for their rapid response in saving all 23 trainees and seven crew on board.

Teenage trainees on board the vessel were said to be shocked, but no was hurt.

The square rigger was leading a parade of sail for photo opportunities when it reported engine failure.

The captain tried to use the ships sails to manoeuvre away from rocks near Prince's Grave near the Sovereign islands. Reports say there was a 4m swell and force four to five southerly wind blowing.

A Rib in the foreground monitors the wreck site and a vehicle is visible on the edge of the field directly above the site. An exclusion zone has been set up around the ship. Photo: Bob Bateman

The ISA's Harry Hermon described in a statement last night how he attempted to throw a line to the foundering ship.

A Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report is now most likely to establish the facts surrounding the accident but Dutch authorities are also expected to carry out an inquiry as a standard procedure.

Last night, the Gathering Cruise continued with a Gala dinner at Kinsale Yacht Club. Up to 20 or so participants are scheduled to be heading west to the Glandore Classic Boat festival tomorrow before the event concludes in Dingle, county Kerry.

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#TallShips - Four RNLI lifeboats were involved in the rescue of 30 crew from the tall ship Astrid, which sank off the Cork coast earlier today (Wednesday 24 July).

The 42m Dutch training vessel reportedly hit rocks inside the Sovereign Islands at Ballymacus Point, near Kinsale.

All on board were brought to safety when the Kinsale lifeboat transferred the casualties from the sinking ship onto the Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat and a local vessel. They were then taken to Kinsale.

Both Kinsale and Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboats were called out at 12 noon today to go to the immediate aid of the sail training vessel that had got into difficulties on the western entrance to Kinsale Harbour in Cork.

Ballycotton and Crosshaven RNLI were also launched, though the Kinsale RNLI lifeboat was first on scene. There was a 2m swell and winds were force five to six.

The training vessel had lost power and was apparently driven on to rocks by a strong southerly wind at the western entrance to Kinsale Harbour. The grounded vessel was taking on water and a crewmember from Kinsale RNLI was put onboard.

Eighteen of the casualties were taken off the Astrid by Kinsale RNLI lifeboat and transferred to Courtmacsherry lifeboa, before being brought to safety. The remaining 12 were put onto a liferaft deployed by the Astrid’s crew, which was towed to safety by the Kinsale lifeboat and picked up by a local vessel.

The people on board the liferaft were then taken to Kinsale harbour and assessed by medical teams.

Irish Coast Guard helicopters from Waterford and Shannon were also on scene along with ambulances and medical crews from Cork.

Speaking about the call-out, Courtmacsherry RNLI coxswain Sean O’Farrell said: “Everyone was very fortunate. I want to praise the quick thinking of the skipper and the crew from the Astrid. They kept calm and did everything we asked them to do. We were able to get them to safety quickly and a major tragedy was averted. To be able to recover 30 people safely was a great day for everyone involved.”

Meanwhile, the Irish Sailing Association has issued the following media statement on behalf of the tall ship Astrid:

Tall Ship Astrid was on a voyage from Southampton to Cherbourg calling in to Kinsale. On board were 23 trainees from France, Ireland, the Netherlands, UK and Spain. The crew were from Belgium and the captain, Pieter de Kam was from the Netherlands.

As the Astrid was leaving Oysterhaven, as part of The Gathering Cruise parade of sail to Kinsale, the vessel experienced engine failure. They notified a nearby RIB which was being helmed by Irish Sailing Association (ISA) CEO Harry Hermon.

The RIB attempted to take a line from Astrid. However, due to the onshore winds and swell this was not possible. Captain de Kam issued a May Day.

The ISA RIB and the yachts in The Gathering Cruise flotilla stood by until the RNLI arrived. There was a safe rescue of all 30 crew who were brought to Kinsale on board the yacht Spirit of Oysterhaven and the lifeboat. All crew were brought to Kinsale Yacht Club where they were provided with showers, food and dry clothing. They were all medically checked and are in good health.

Sail Training Ireland and Kinsale Yacht Club are working together to make arrangements for accommodation and for returning the crew to their homes.

Commenting on the rescue, Captain Pieter de Kam of the Tall Ship Astrid stated: “I would like to thank the lifeboat and the coastguard for the safe rescue of all my crew. We very much appreciate their outstanding work.”

Harry Hermon, CEO of the Irish Sailing Association, commented: “It is thanks to the rescue services that all crew were rescued quickly and safely without injury. I would also like to thank all the sailors from the Gathering Cruise who stood by Astrid providing support to the crew.

"Kinsale Yacht Club has also been fantastic providing food and clothing and helping Sail Training Ireland find accommodation for all the crew”.

#TallShips - RTÉ News is reporting on a major rescue operation off the Cork coast involving the tall ship Astrid, which has hit rocks and is taking on water.

As of 1pm, some 12 of the 30 people on board the training vessel had been taken off to nearby Kinsale as the ship lists in the waters at Oysterhaven.

Afloat.ie will have more on this breaking story as it emerges.

Update 1.18pm: RTÉ News is now reporting that all 30 people on board the Astrid have been rescued from the vessel, which is taking on water amid strong winds.

Update 6.15pm: The latest news from Oysterhaven is that the tall ship Astrid has sunk, and RTÉ News has photos and video from the scene. Is is still unclear how the Dutch training vessel came to hit rocks and take on water.

Update 6.20pm: Karl Grabe has posted the above video showing the capsized Astrid being overwhelmed by heavy seas.

Update 6.55pm: Afloat.ie has posted news of the RNLI's rescue of the Astrid's 30-strong crew in an operation involving four lifeboats - plus a statement on behalf of the sunken vessel.