Drogheda chosen as new maritime safety HQ

A new Coast Guard and Maritime Safety Agency headquarters is to be located in Drogheda, Co Louth.

The new agency will play a key role in the operational functions of the Coast Guard and the work of the State shipping surveyors.

Currently, both the Coast Guard and the Maritime Safety Directorate operate under the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

The new agency will be a stand-alone operation, independent of the Department.

Drogheda was chosen because of its proximity to Dublin and other ports where 95% of maritime passenger traffic and half of all cargo originates.

More than 30 staff will be located in the new headquarters which will include senior management, corporate support, administration operations co-ordination and pollution response.

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Dermot Ahern said today: "The report from my officials regarding the location of the new Coast Guard and Maritime Safety Agency has recommended Drogheda.

"For operational reasons the location of this headquarters had to be along the east Coast. I intend to act as soon as possible on this recommendation," he added.