Coast Guard gives green light for salvage experts to lift tall ship off rocks

The Coast Guard has given the green light for work to start on a major salvage operation on the stricken tall ship, Astrid.

Preparatory work is expected to start in Kinsale, Co Cork, today for what is expected to be a three-week project.

The news was confirmed yesterday almost five weeks after the historic Dutch sail-training vessel ran aground on rocks just east of Kinsale harbour.

She was sailing as part of a flotilla from Oysterhaven to Kinsale when her engines failed. Strong onshore winds drove her on to the rocks.

All 30 people on board the Astrid — including 23 young trainees — were saved during a dramatic rescue involving the RNLI, the coast guard, and local vessels.

The 95-year-old vessel has remained stuck fast on the rocks since July 24.

Following an initial inspection, which revealed substantial damage to its hull, the ship has been effectively written off.

Following protracted negotiations, the ship’s insurers awarded the salvage contract to West Cork-based Atlantic Towage and Marine.

Its detailed salvage and pollution control plan was submitted to the Coast Guard for review. It has now been cleared to proceed.

Bere Island-based Atlantic Towage and Marine is one of Ireland’s leading towage and salvage firms.

It will lead the operation but will draft in various specialist sub-contractors for certain elements.

Atlantic Towage and Marine’s 30-tonne Ocean Bank tractor tug, driven by a powerful hi-tech propulsion system, is expected to arrive in Kinsale today to prepare for the operation.

Several smaller boats will also be involved in preparing the Astrid to be lifted from the rocks.

It is understood that masts and rigging will be cut before seawater is pumped from the vessel.

Arrangements will also be made to remove some 3.5 tonnes of diesel which remains in two of the vessel’s four fuel tanks.

The hull will then be secured before it is hoisted by a large floating crane, which is due to sail from Britain, on to a large recovery barge.

Once the wreck is lashed to the barge, it will then be transported to a nearby port where it will be handed over to the ship’s insurers.