Raising Asgard II not cost-effective, says Minister
The Asgard II will not be raised from the seabed off France because the operation will not be cost-effective, the Defence Minister confirmed today.
The national training vessel sank in the Bay of Biscay in September and its crew had to be rescued by the French Coast Guard.
Defence Minister Willie O’Dea said the salvage effort would cost €2m but the 27-year-old vessel may later be found to be damaged beyond repair.
However the TD said he would consider any realistic proposals from private individuals or groups interested in salvaging Asgard II.
The Creidne vessel, which was used for sail training between 1975-1980, will be returned to limited service in May while a replacement for Asgard II is built.
Recommendations by experts, Coiste an Asgard, said the 30-year-old wooden vessel would also have ever-increasing maintenance costs in the years ahead.
The possibility of increased regulatory requirements by the Department of Transport could also push up the restoration bill.
“The costs and risks involved in attempting to salvage and restore Asgard II are too great,” said Mr O’Dea.
“There is no doubt Asgard II was an outstanding sail-training vessel and was held in the highest regard both at home and abroad.
The TD added: “The board also took into account the view that parents of potential trainees (particularly those with no sailing experience) may be reluctant to allow their children to sail on a vessel that has sunk.”
He added: “While the name ’Asgard’ has been associated with two noble and important vessels, it is also about sail training and introducing young people to the experience of sailing. My priority is to ensure the continuation of the sail-training scheme.
Mr O’Dea said he will now approve plans to build a new vessel similar to Asgard II with a steel hull and modern features, but funding may not be available until the end of 2010.
The Creidne, which was the national sail vessel between 1975-1980, will be returned to limited service in May after a restoration project is completed.
“The proposed use of the Creidne as a sail-training vessel is a stopgap measure, pending the acquisition of a permanent replacement for Asgard II,” said a Defence Department spokesperson.
A number of places will also be reserved for Irish trainees on board the Norwegian sail training vessel, the Christian Radich, during the Tall Ships races.
Fine Gael said the minister’s decision was deeply disappointing and criticised a five-month delay on the issue.
“It is over five months since the Asgard II sank in the Bay of Biscay,” said defence spokesman Jimmy Deenihan.
“In that time any chance that the vessel would be recovered was seriously undermined by the minister’s own hesitancy on the matter.
“Not one but two salvage feasibility surveys were commissioned in that period and the available weather windows were wasted when a salvage operation was possible.”
The Kerry North TD said the crew of the vessel are dismayed at the decision.
“The Asgard II has served generations of Irish sailors well and the alternative sail training arrangements announced by the minister pale when compared to the service provided by Asgard II,” he added.
The Labour Party described the minister’s decision as disgraceful and claimed it marked a sad day for an island nation.
“After almost 30 years of service, the Asgard II is to be left abandoned on the sea-floor,” said Senator Michael McCarthy.
He added: “This is the ultimate in hypocrisy when one considers that this Government was happy to spend tens of millions of euro on defunct electronic voting machines, and continues to spend hundreds of thousands of euro for their storage.
“I am sick to the back teeth of Willie O’Dea speaking out of both sides of his mouth.”
Mr McCarthy said he believed the decision by Mr O’Dea will be regretted by generations of sailors and by the citizens of this proud maritime nation.
The Asgard II, which shares its name with the yacht that brought in arms for the Irish Volunteers in 1916, is fully insured and remains the property of the Government.
Mr O’Dea added: “Asgard II was an excellent ambassador for this country for close on 30 years.
“However, I believe the measures I have outlined in terms of planning for a new vessel and the interim arrangements will ensure sail training in this country continues.”
The Creidne is a 48-foot Bermudan ketch, originally named Galcador.
It was purchased by the Department of Defence in 1975 as a temporary replacement for the original Asgard, pending the building of Asgard II.
Creidne has a capacity for about eight trainees compared to 20 on Asgard II.
