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Displaying items by tag: derelict dredger

A former dredger, Hebble Sand which in September was refloated in Drogheda Port from where it has been derelict for almost a decade, is to have the diesel it is carrying removed in the coming week.

According to Alison Comyn's report in the Drogheda Independent, the removal of diesel follows a written request from the Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr Michelle Hall, who received a report from Louth County Council's Environmental Compliance Officer about the partial sinking and diesel spillage from the veteran vessel that originally began a career in the UK.

The report on the almost 60-year-old grab-hopper dredger that also served Irish Sea ports, stated that there was no evidence of an oil leak found but some residual diesel was discharged.

The diesel had mixed with the low tide and that booms had been placed around the hull of the 757-tonne dredger, this to prevent further dispersion in the Co. Louth port as per requirements in estuarine waters.

In addition the report found no evidence of impact to fish nor to wildlife arising from the Hebble Sand that is berthed alongside Merchant's Quay on the north bank of the Boyne from where as Afloat.ie reported in 2014 was part of the Irish Maritime Festival.   

More information was also given of the ongoing works by Drogheda Port Authority.

Click here for further reading on the story. 

Published in Drogheda Port

About the Watersports Inclusion Games

The Watersports Inclusion Games are an award-winning event organised by Irish Sailing with partners from across the watersports sector, that enable people of all abilities from the physical, sensory, intellectual and learning spectrums to take to the water to participate in a wide range of water activities.

More than 250 people with physical, sensory, intellectual and learning disabilities typically take part in the weekend's events.

Participants will have the opportunity to try more sports than ever before, with an expanded range including sailing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, rowing, surfing, water skiing and powerboating all on offer.

The Games typically take place each August.

The organisers of the Games want to let people of all abilities know that there are multiple watersports available to them, and to encourage more people from all backgrounds to get involved and out on the water regardless of ability. They aim to highlight that any barriers faced by people with disabilities can be eliminated.

There are social, health and wellness benefits associated with sailing and all watersports. These include improved muscle strength and endurance, improved cardiovascular fitness and increased agility, enhanced spatial awareness, greater mental wellness through the balancing of serotonin levels and the lowering of stress levels, improved concentration and the forging of positive relationships.