Marine surveyors are due to conduct a “detailed inspection” of the German cargo ship which was refloated on the high tide today after it grounded on rocks on the south Connemara coastline.
The refloating on the high tide at about 5.30am took about an hour, with the assistance of a tug Celtic Isle from Foynes, Co Limerick.
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) is conducting a “thorough” inquiry in to the circumstances, according to Minister for Marine Simon Coveney.
Mr Coveney said he believes the ship’s master ignored the advice of the Rossaveal harbour office on a safe anchorage when it arrived into Casla Bay on Wednesday evening.
“There was a very real threat to the marine environment and it is a testament to the professionalism of all those involved that such a threat was averted," Mr Coveney said, as the ship had about 370 tonnes of heavy fuel oil on board.
Mr Coveney said that he was "glad to have had the opportunity to see at first hand the professionalism and competence of all the agencies involved, including the Rossaveal Harbour Master and his staff, the Irish Coast Guard, An Garda Siochana and Galway County Council."
Mr Coveney also acknowledged the assistance and co-operation provided by the ship's representatives in reaching a “successful conclusion to this incident”.
The ship, registered in Newfoundland and flying the Antigua and Barbuda flag, sailed from the Mediterranean with 16 crew on board, arriving on Wednesday evening.
The ship’s anchorage broke in heavy south-west to west winds sometime before 6am yesterday, and it was forced up on the shoreline in a narrow channel in Casla Bay.
The ship was due to pick up two fast ferries berthed in Rossaveal which were recently sold to Mauritian interests. The MV Clann Eagle I and MV Clann na nOileáin were owned by Bád Arann Teoranta, which went into receivership.
