Asgard struck below waterline

A REPORT into the sinking of the sail training vessel, Asgard II, off the coast of France two years ago has concluded that it was probably struck by an underwater object.

The inquiry by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board was unable to determine conclusively what exactly caused a major planking failure on the starboard side of the ship.

However, it noted there was anecdotal evidence to suggest that flotsam from ships is found in the general vicinity of the incident.

Asgard II sank about 12 miles north-west of the island of Belle-Île in the Bay of Biscay in the early hours of September 11, 2008, while on a voyage between Falmouth and La Rochelle.

The alarm was raised at 1.05am and the vessel was abandoned 45 minutes later after the crew unsuccessfully tried to pump water out of the ship. All five crew and 20 trainees who took to life rafts were later rescued by two French lifeboat crews from Belle-Île.

Asgard II, a brigantine sailing ship which was built in 1981 in Arklow was used as a State sail training vessel by the Department of Defence.

Crew members told marine investigators that there had been no unusual occurrence prior to the incident except the bo’sun, Finola Goggin, who reported being woken by an unusual knocking sound about an hour before the alarm was sounded. Two trainees also reported hearing a similar noise prior to the incident.

Underwater cameras showed significant damage in several planks on the starboard side of the vessel which resulted in the flooding of Asgard II which began in the trainee mess.

The MCIB report said the ship had complied with all statutory requirements and was well maintained with no indication of any structural problems. The ship’s crew, particularly the master, Capt Colm Newport, were complimented for the professional and brave manner in which they handled the emergency.

Weather conditions at the time were not considered a factor in the incident.

The MCIB recommended that the Department of Transport should review the statutory status of ships like Asgard II which was designated a cargo vessel and not a passenger vessel. As a result it was not required to have the capacity to withstand the flooding of any internal compartment as required of passenger ships.

The MCIB also recommended that the practice of allowing trainees to sign on as crew should be reviewed.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey was also urged to encourage Lloyd’s Register to complete its review on the survey procedures of wooden classed ships.

It is unlikely that Asgard II will be replaced in the near future as the national sail training programme was axed as a result of cost-cutting by the Government in last year’s budget.