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Health and Safety Assessment of the 'Alta'

The Department of Transport commissioned a Health and Safety Assessment of the 'Alta', located near Ballycotton in County Cork, in the summer of 2022. Following completion of the assessment by ABL Group, a marine consultancy, the report was shared with Cork County Council, the appropriate authority as prescribed by the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993. Cork County Council have confirmed that mitigation measures to address the high-level risks identified in the report have been completed. Full repport: https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/270003/979b7e91-8080-437d-9cf4-be430d21f717.pdf#page=null

New safety measures introduced around grounding site

The Cork County Council is set to introduce a number of new safety measures to prevent public access to the wreck of the 'Alta' at Ballyandreen Bay, Ballycotton. The measures will include erecting 280 metres of fencing alongside the cliff, the reinforcement of cliff walk fencing to discourage and prevent the public from accessing the foreshore, lockable pedestrian gates, and warning signs will be placed at numerous locations surrounding the wreck. There were potential difficulties in accessing the area where fencing is required and suggested a potential zipline from the clifftop immediately above the works area to drop material down. The fencing should be coated in anti-climb paint while the pedestrian gate shall have a shooting bolt and an anti-vandal shroud covering and protecting the padlock for the gate. The wreck is gradually breaking up on site, and the site has become a destination for sightseers as well as attracting anti-social behaviour and fires. The cliff pathway is in private ownership but is known to be accessed by members of the public. While the works are ongoing, no member of the public or landowner should be able to access the works area. In June 2ß22, the Department of Transport had commissioned a report on the risks to the health and safety of the public posed by the wreck of the 'Alta'. It also sought to establish the stability and potential for further deterioration of the vessel and any associated risks. The works will be completed early in 2023. Report with photos: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41052233.html

Video shows deterioration

A new video shows the changes to the 'Alta' within one year. The video was recorded in June 2020 and June 2021 by Pierce O'Shea and shows how the weather and efforts to remove oil from the ship has affected the vessel. Earlier this year, the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) warned that despite the 'Alta' being an object of curiosity, the vessel posed a potential for environmental pollution both materially and visually as it would inevitably deteriorate over time “to an unsightly collection of rusting plates and plastic wreckage. The likelihood of pollution as the wreck breaks up is high and will remain so until the wreck is removed”, with the costs of removal likely to be borne by the State. The Cork County Council was monitoring the 'Alta' and is seeking advice and funds from state agencies on how to deal with it. The vessel is a property that is in the charge of the Receiver of Wreck and trespassing is prohibited. The wreck is in an unstable condition and should not be approached by the public under any circumstances. Report with video: https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/video-shows-changes-ballycotton-ghost-20899227