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.

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