A REPLACEMENT for the sail training ship Asgard IIcould be built in Ireland with Irish skills and craftsmanship, according to several experts in traditional boat building.
Michael Kennedy and Bill Crampton, who led the construction of the replica famine ship Dunbrody, told The Irish Timestheir entire team is still "alive and well" and available for such a project.
A premises may also be available in the southeast to ensure a new vessel is ready in time for the next Irish hosting of the Tall Ships Race - due in Waterford in 2011.
Last week, Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea expressed concern about the availability of skills in Ireland to build a replacement, if such a decision was taken.
Mr O'Dea, who is chairman of Coiste an Asgard, was commenting after the sinking early last Thursday of the 27-year-old brigantine in the Bay of Biscay. All 25 crew and trainees were evacuated and rescued by French lifeboats.
Insurers are assessing the situation, and an investigation into the cause of the sinking is being conducted by Irish and French authorities.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Defence said yesterday it was still too early to say whether any attempt would be made to salvage the ship, lying in 90m (295ft) of water, or build a replacement.
The brigantine, designed and built by Jack Tyrrell of Arklow, Co Wicklow, was insured for €3.8 million. The Dunbrodyconstruction team said this could provide vital seed capital to build a new training ship for the State.
Up to 65 people worked on construction of the Dunbrodyin New Ross, Co Wexford, which was launched by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern in February 2001. The project was initiated by Seán Reidy of the John F Kennedy Trust, and was based on the design of an emigrant ship built in Quebec, Canada, for a New Ross merchant family in 1845.
The 10-year project allowed for extensive skill training, as Fás was involved. The Dunbrodycost €6 million, including Fás labour, whereas the Kerry-built replica famine ship Jeanie Johnstonran over budget and cost €15.8 million.
Mr Kennedy said that several craftsmen involved in the Jeanie Johnstonalso had sufficient skills to work on a new vessel, and he hoped that the maritime sector would co-operate on such an initiative if it was approved by Government.
"We've had a sail training ship since the foundation of the State, starting with the original Asgard, and it would be a terrible pity if we did not have one now," Mr Kennedy said.
Mr Crampton said that proposals to hire the Jeanie Johnstonto continue the sail training programme might meet a short-term need, but it would not be a successor to the Asgard II.