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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

Mixed Two Person Offshore Keelboat

For the first time in sailing's Olympic history, a Mixed Two Person Offshore Keelboat event will be on the slate at the Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Competition.

The Mixed Two Person Offshore Keelboat will join kiteboarding, windsurfing, multihulls, singlehanded and doublehanded dinghies and skiffs, promoting the diversity of the sport. This, in turn, will support World Sailing's desire to promote and grow universality in all disciplines and increase female participation with gender-equal medals and athletes.

Offshore sailing is the ultimate test of endurance, skill, discipline, navigation and critical decision making.

Embracing a major part of sailing in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will enable new stars of the sport to come to the forefront.

Qualification

Offshore sailing is a universal discipline that every World Sailing Member National Authority (MNA) can participate in.

Up to 20 nations will be on the start line at Paris 2024 and sailors from every continent will be represented. To qualify for the Olympic Games, continental qualification events will be held and competition for a spot will be hotly contested.

Equipment

For qualification events, World Sailing will approve a list of one-design boats that are already regionally available and can be accessed as a charter boat. Boats will be equalised to ensure fair competition.

For Paris 2024, World Sailing's Council will select a list of different Equipment it considers to meet the key criteria by 31 December 2020 and then make a decision on the Equipment, selecting from the list, no later than 31 December 2023.

MNAs, Class Associations and Manufacturers have all been invited to propose Equipment for the list and a World Sailing Working Party will evaluate each proposal. A recommended list will be presented to Council for approval in November 2020.

This recommended Equipment list will ensure that event organisers, MNAs and the sailors have opportunities to train and compete in Equipment that is readily available and affordable within their continent and country. It will also ensure each MNA has a fair opportunity to prepare for qualification events and eventually, Paris 2024.

Format

Starting and finishing in Marseille, the Mixed Offshore event is expected to last for either three days and two nights or four days and three nights off the French coastline and whoever crosses the finish line first will be declared Olympic champion.

The race course and length will be announced in the lead up to the start so the competition can take advantage of the latest weather forecast. Current options proposed include long and short courses heading towards the West and East of France.

Safety and Security

The French Navy and Mediterranean forces have extensive experience of supporting major oceanic sailing races. They will provide safety and security at Paris 2024.