A Syrian-registered frigate, which had been docked in Waterford Port for two days because of a pay dispute between the captain and the ship operator, sailed at 9.p.m. last night for Bilbao, Spain.
The Syrian captain had refused to sail the vessel, which is carrying 1,500 Irish cattle, or hand over authority to a replacement drafted in by Union Commercial Company, until he was paid an estimated $21,000 in arrears.
A deal was reached last night with the help of Mr Tony Ayton, a local industrial official with SIPTU, which has responsibility for such cases.