Safety fears grow over West Cork harbour sand bar

Safety issues have been raised after a sand bar developed in a West Cork harbour, leading to a number of boats running aground.

There is also a fear the sand bar will shut off the inner harbour at Ring Clonakilty to boats - unless action is taken.

Cork County Council has been urged to carry out immediate work

Cllr Noel O’Donovan said there was widespread concern at the increasingly high levels of sand building up at the entrance to the fishing and tourist village.

The Fine Gael councillor, who had met with local fisherman and leisure boat owners, said the issue was becoming quite serious with the build-up of sand leading to a widening of nearby Inchydoney beach at the eastern end.

“The new sand bar is in effect shutting off access to the inner harbour, apart for a brief window at high tide.”

He urged the council to carry out immediate dredging works at Ring.

“There have been several cases in recent months where boats have run aground on the sand bank, becoming stranded for hours waiting for the tide to change,” Cllr O’Donovan said.

“Apart from the obvious inconvenience there is a real safety fear for the occupants of these boats. The sea is unpredictable at best, shows no mercy and with the speed a storm or dense fog can roll in at, having a boat marooned in the channel is creating a real risk to life.”

Officials from the council’s coastal management section acknowledged there had been a build up of silt, sand and mud and attributed it to bad storms and increased rainfall over recent years.

In addition to dredging issue, Cllr O’Donovan also called for the installation of new navigational aids – lights – along the channel.

Council officials agreed to fully examine the situation as a matter of urgency and provide an updated report shortly.