‘Eyesore’ ships to be removed from Bilberry
A number of derelict ships which have been considered by some to have been an eyesore on Waterford’s south quays for several years are to be removed within the next three months following a High Court order.
Gary McCarthy, counsel for the Port of Waterford Company, this week reached a settlement of proceedings against the owner of four vessels moored at Bilberry Quay under which the vessels are to be taken away.
He told the court that the ships were ‘dilapidated and derelict’ and constituted a real danger to the environment, including the possible release of pollutants.
Under the settlement, announced to Mr Justice Roderick Murphy, the ‘Elizabeth O’, the ‘Seal Sand’, ‘Duncannon Hulk’, and the ‘EKO’ are to be removed within 12 weeks.
Delighted
Mr Martin O’Hanlon, chief executive officer of Fastnet Shipping Ltd, who has an interest in the yard at Bilberry, said he was ‘delighted’ at the outcome and the settlement. He said his company had won the contract to remove the vessels and they were in the process of commencing that operation at present. Mr O’Hanlon pointed out that while the vessels might look derelict they were, in fact, quite solid with sound hulls and, technically, they were not derelict and they had never been a source of pollution.