SEVERAL OFFICIAL INQUIRIES HAVE BEEN INITIATED INTO A SERIOUS INCIDENT AT GALWAY DOCKS YESTERDAY WHICH RESULTED IN THREE MEN BEING HOSPITALISED.

THE THREE WERE ON BOARD A FORMER ARAN ISLANDS PASSENGER FERRY, CLANN NA NOILEÁN , WHICH WAS BEING LOADED BY CRANE ON TO A CARGO SHIP WHEN THE UPPER SLING SNAPPED. THE VESSEL DROPPED SOME 12M  INTO THE WATER.

THE VESSEL CAME UPRIGHT AFTER THE FALL. HOWEVER THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE, AND THE THREE MEN WERE INJURED.

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AUTHORITY AND GALWAY HARBOUR BOARD HAVE INITIATED INQUIRIES, AND THE MARINE CASUALTY INVESTIGATION BOARD HAS ALSO BEEN NOTIFIED.

IT WAS THE SECOND ATTEMPT TO DELIVER TWO ALUMINIUM MONOHULL FAST FERRIES, BUILT FOR THE ARAN ISLAND ROUTE, TO A NEW OWNER IN MAURITIUS.

LAST WEEK A 120M CARGO SHIP SENT FOR THE DELIVERY RAN AGROUND IN CASLA BAY OFF ROSSAVEAL.