REMOVAL OF VESSELS FROM THE GRAND CANAL BASIN
IN DUBLIN

Removal of vessel by crane from the Grand Canal Basin in Dublin

During the month of March, Waterways Ireland removed and disposed of 12 sunken and damaged vessels from the Grand Canal Basin in Dublin. The vessels had been abandoned and were both unsightly and a hazard to navigation. The operation took over two weeks and involved a salvage team along with divers, who worked from pontoons to seal, sling and re-float sunken vessels where they were then lifted from the Basin by crane prior to final disposal.

All vessels had been sunk for a minimum of four to five years and many had been damaged or were rotten and had to be recovered piece by piece. All were successfully recovered and disposed of by a licensed contractor.

The removal and disposal of the vessels was carried out after all efforts had been made to contact the owners and included notices in the National Press advising owners to come forward and claim their vessels before the removal operation commenced.

The Grand Canal Basin was officially opened in April 1796 and was built as docks for seagoing vessels which entered the Grand Canal via the River Liffey to transport goods and people across the country to the Shannon or to many of the towns on the branches of the Grand Canal.

Further information from:
Ms. Aoife Morrissy, Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland, 00 353 71 9650787 or 00 353 87 9918412.

PR08004
Date: 14.04.2008