THE SAIL training vessel Asgard IImay have collided with a ship's container shortly before the vessel sank off the northwest coast of France in September 2008.
A draft report of the official inquiry into the sinking has not been able to rule conclusively on the cause of vessel’s loss, but sub-sea camera footage of the hull point to impact.
The vessel was not raised for the investigation, but evidence suggests that planks stove in on either side of the bow and the full impact was taken on the keel.
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) inquiry is understood to believe the ship hit a container which may have fallen off a merchant ship, or it may have collided with a whale.
The draft has been circulated to all 25 crew and trainees, and other parties, allowing 28 days for comments.
The timber brigantine sank hours after it began taking in water off the northwest French coast early on September 11th, 2008, and all on board were rescued after a “textbook” evacuation.
One life raft failed during the evacuation when its floor gave way, and those trainees on board had to be transferred quickly to an alternative.
The life raft had already been serviced, and it is understood the investigators may recommend a review of service standards and methodology.
The investigation compliments the professional and calm manner in which the ship’s master, Capt Colm Newport, and crew dealt with the emergency situation, and with the high standard of safety training generally which ensured there was no loss of life or injury.
Training drills had already prepared the student sailors, and there was more than sufficient safety equipment on board.
The trainees who completed a questionnaire circulated by the MCIB praised the handling of the emergency. All 25 on board, 21 of whom are Irish, were rescued by two French lifeboats at about 4.30am on September 11th, 2008 some 12 miles west of the French island of Belle-Ile.
The draft inquiry notes that the ship was certified as a cargo rather than passenger vessel due to its construction. The sail training brigantine, designed by Jack Tyrrell of Arklow and commissioned in 1981, was en route from Falmouth to La Rochelle when a bilge alarm sounded at around 2am Irish time, denoting the ship was taking water.
The ship was due to participate in Le Grande Pavois festival, at which Ireland was also represented by the Naval Service patrol ship, LE Niamh. The Asgard IIwas due to have maintenance work carried out in the French port.
Capt Newport was faced with a serious stability situation due to the rapid ingress of water. The 20 trainees filled three life rafts in four to five minutes, and Capt Newport and two crew stayed on board for about 20 minutes to maintain radio contact with French rescue services.
Former Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea reversed his initial promise to salvage the ship if at all possible.
The MCIB conducted the main body of the inquiry and a final report will be published in several months.