Concern that issue at County Waterford harbour is tragedy waiting to happen

Concern has been expressed in County Waterford that silting up of a local harbour is effectively “a tragedy waiting to happen” as its proving restrictive for emergency services.

Green Party area rep for Dungarvan, Críostóir Ó Faoláin, told Waterford News & Star that the situation at Heilbhic harbour is such that at times it’s difficult for the lifeboat to launch while also making it difficult for fishermen to access the harbour other than at high tide.

According to Críostóir, Heilbhic lifeboat is on restricted service due to the ongoing long-term difficulties with launching the boat at low tide.

“Sand and silt have built up inside Heilbhic harbour,” he said.

“The issue is particularly prevalent at spring tides, during which the lifeboat cannot launch for a couple of hours either side of low tide,” he added.

“That means that the lifeboat is out of action 10 per cent of the time.” Críostóir described the situation as “a tragedy waiting to happen”, commenting: “As things stand it is only a matter of time until the lifeboat is needed at a time when it cannot launch.” 

“This issue has been raised with Waterford City and County Council many times over the years, but it remains unresolved,” he said.

“I fear that this issue will drag on until someone drowns because of it,” he added.

“This would be utterly disgraceful.” Críostóir went on to comment: “As a Lifeboat crewman myself, I understand the importance of this service for our community. It’s one thing to go out and do your best to save someone, even if the worst happens, but to not even get the chance to save someone’s life because the harbour has not been properly maintained would be hard to take.” 

However, he said there was more than one way to solve the problem.

“The rules of the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme could be amended to allow local authorities to apply for funding for pre-dredging works, including preliminary surveys and environmental assessments,” he said.

“That would allow the harbour to be dredged,” he added.

“Alternatively, a new relief slip could be built outside the harbour so that, even when the harbour itself can’t be accessed, the lifeboat can still be launched.”

Críostóir went on to comment: “One way or another, an end must be put to the time wasting that has left this problem go unresolved for years.” 

"The Lifeboat provides a vital service, one which is funded by the community we serve, at no cost to the state,” he said.

“All we ask of the state is that our launching sites are properly maintained so that we can respond to the call for help whenever it comes,” he added.

“We don’t want to see this issue ignored until it’s too late. Unless this issue is resolved, allowing the lifeboat to be on call 24/7, then it is only a matter of time before our community is struck by tragedy.” 

Tragóid i ndán i gCeann Heilbhic 

Tá Bád Tarrthála Cheann Heilbhic ar sheirbhís srianta de bharr constaicí lainse ag lag trá. Tá gaineamh agus siolta bailithe sa chuan, agus bíonn sé deachair d’iascairí rochtain a fháil ar an gcuan lasmuigh d’ardtaoide. Bíonn an fhadhb ag an bpointe is measa le linn lagthaoide lántrá, nuair a bhíonn stop curtha le lainse an bháid tarrthála ar feadh cúpla uair roimh agus tar éis lag trá. Níl an bád tarrthála ar fáil deich faoin gcéad den am dá bharr.

Dúirt Críostóir Ó Faoláin, Ionadaí Áitiúil an Chomhaontais Ghlais: “Tá tragóid i ndán i gCeann Heilbhic. Faoi mar atá, níl ann ach ceist ama go dtí go mbeidh glaoch ar an mbád tarrthála ag an am mícheart. Tá an cheist seo tarraingthe aníos le Comhairle Cathrach agus Contae Phort Láirge go minic síos tríd na blianta, ach níl sé réitithe go fóill. Tá eagla orm nach mbeidh an fhadhb seo réitithe go dtí go mbeidh duine báite mar thoradh. Bheadh a leithead náireach amach is amach. Mar bhall de chriú an Bháid Tarrthála mé féin tuigim an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an seirbhís seo. Rud amháin is ea é dul amach agus do dhícheall a dhéanamh chun duine a shábháil, rud eile ar fad a bheadh ann a bheith fágtha ar an gcé gan seans ar a laghad duine a shábháil de bharr easpa cothabhála.” Tá níos mó ná slí amháin chun an fhadhb seo a réiteach, dar le Críostóir Ó Faoláin.

“Is féidir rialacha an Chláir Forbartha Chuan Iascaigh agus Bonneagar Chósta a leasú ionas go mbeidh cead ag údaráis áitiúla iarratas a dhéanamh ar obair réamh-dhreidireachta, réamh-shuirbhéanna agus measúnachtaí timpeallachta san áireamh. Bheadh deis ann dreidireacht a dhéanamh ar an gcuan ansin. Rogha eile atá ar fáil, mar réiteach sa ngearrthréimhse, ná fánán éigeandála nua a chur ar fáil taobh le cuan Heilbhic ionas go mbeidh deis an bád tarrthála a chur amach fiú nuair nach bhfuil rochtain ar an gcuan féin. Slí amháin nó eile caithfear deireadh a chur leis an moilleadóireacht a d’fhág an ceist seo gan réiteach le blianta fada.” “Cuireann an Bád Tarrthála seirbhís fíor-thábhachtach ar fáil, seirbhís atá maoinithe ag an bpobal, gan aon chostas ar an stáit. An t-aon rud a éilítear ón stáit ná go mbeidh an láthair lainseála coinnithe saor ó bhac ionas gur féidir linn glaoch a fhreagairt pé uair a thagann sé. Nílimid ag iarraidh go ndéanfaí neamhaird ar an gceist seo go dtí go bhfuil sé ró-dhéanach. Mura bhfuil an fhadhb seo réitithe, agus cead ag an mBád Tarrthála a bheith ar fáil 24/7, níl ann ach ceist ama go dtarlóidh tragóid sa cheantar seo.”