In Co. Mayo, a former smuggling vessel that had been idle in Dublin Port until earlier this year is to be sunk in Killala Bay, for it to become an artificial reef.
The operation reports the Western People to sink the MV Shingle is scheduled to take place this Sunday, subject to weather conditions.
The 669 tonnes MV Shingle was initially seized by Customs officers at Drogheda Port as part of a €14m tobacco seizure in 2014 and was afterwards also taken by authorities to Dublin Port from where it was held by the Revenue Commissions. The 60m vessel, which had loaded contraband in Slovenia, was towed in May to the River Barrow in the southeast and entered the dry-dock at New Ross Boatyard, where it has remained ever since.
A Maritime Area Consent licence was earlier this year granted to the Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef project team. This will enable the group of diving enthusiasts, to permit them to tow the vessel built in 1982 to Killala Bay for where it will be sunk.
It was in July this year when planning permission was granted by Mayo County Council for the preparation of the Moldovan registered MV Shingle to be transported and positioned into place for its sinking on the seabed of Killala Bay.
The passage time of the towing operation from New Ross to Killala Bay will take three days, and on arrival, a company has been employed to prepare the 42 year old ship for sinking.
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