MINISTER FOR Defence Tony Killeen has said he believes the investigation into the sinking of the sail training ship Asgard IIwas "comprehensive", despite several criticisms of its findings by the State's sail training organisation and three trainees.
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report was unable to establish the exact cause of the initial “plank failure” that led to the sinking off the north-west French coast two years ago.
The board believes it is “probable” the ship struck an “underwater object”, causing severe damage on its starboard side. All 25 on board were rescued by the French lifeboat service.
Coiste an Asgard, which was responsible for running the ship on behalf of Mr Killeen’s department, has expressed satisfaction with the report “in general”, but told the board there was “concern and disappointment” at the investigation into the failure of one life raft on board.
The collapse of the flooring in one of three life rafts launched during the evacuation in the early hours of September 11th, 2008, was “one of the most significant issues surrounding the incident”, Coiste an Asgard’s secretary Tom Connick said in a letter to the MCIB, commenting on the initial draft report. Coiste an Asgard has urged that procedures relating to life raft inspection and auditing of service companies be reviewed.
The board’s inquiry found the life raft floor failed as a result of the deterioration of the glue joint between the floor joint and the side tubes. It notes a floor test carried out in February 2008 failed to detect this.
The board has disputed Coiste an Asgard’s contention that the life raft aspect of the investigation was not satisfactory. Mr Killeen said he believed the report to be “comprehensive” and its recommendations would “have to be taken account of”, should Ireland re-establish a sail training programme. The programme was axed in the last budget.