Friday, October 15, 2010

Report Into Asgard II Sinking Is Published

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has published their Report of the investigation into the loss of the sail training vessel “Asgard II”.

The vessel which sank in the Bay of Biscay on 11 September 2008 while on route to La Rochelle, France was carrying 5 crew and 20 trainees.

All on board were evacuated safely from the vessel and transferred to the ships life rafts where they were brought to the island of Bel Ille by the French coastguard.

Minister or Defence, Mr. Tony Killeen commented that while the findings into the cause of the sinking are inconclusive it recognises that the vessel was equipped and maintained in excess of the statutory requirements and that higher safety standards were in place on the ship which were above those required by legislation.

The Minister also noted that the report acknowledges the leadership shown by the ship’s Master, Colm Newport and he commended his and the crew’s handling of the emergency situation.

Copies of the Report are available on the MCIB website at www.mcib.ie.