Wreckless driving by the Niamh Aine - Porturlin
A school of curious dolphins were attacked yesterday lunchtime by a vessel supporting Shell's offshore pipeline works in Broadhaven Bay at Glengad. The Niamh Aine - a pleasure boat hired to escort various work vessels around the area - drove across the path of two of the dolphins who were inspecting the Vlaanderen VII barge.
The barge was alone with the pleasure boat, but was unable to do anything as it normally works in tandem with the dredger, which was not present.
After driving at the dolphins and doing a circle of the area, the Niamh Aine and Vlaanderen VII both headed for Ballyglass Pier, their base-camp for operations. The Niamh Aine returned within the hour to scout the same location (carrying passengers without safety attire) and followed the dolphins away from the scene.
The barge and dredger returned and have been working on the offshore Corrib pipeline route since yesterday evening.
The Irish Whale & Dolphin Group, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Belmullet Gardai were all informed of the incident, which was closely witnessd by half a dozen people.
So far there has been no interest shown by those authorities, and Shell's actions in the area continue to operate entirely outside the law.
Comments (3 of 3)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3Please could you let me know:
1. Who has written this piece and
2. how and who have they contacted in the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group ?
Marine Notice 15 of 2004 provides guidance on correct procedures when encountering whales, dolphin and porpoise in Irish coastal waters. This Notice was issused under a Statutory Instrument which is legally enforcable, if the writer wishes to make a case of this there is a clear legal framework available to them.
Dr Simon Berrow
IWDG Co-ordinator
In the foreshore consent letter issued to Shell on 27 June 2008 by the Dept of Agriculture & Fisheries, Schedule 3 - Part 1 states:
8. The MMO (Marine Mammal Observer) must ensure that an exclusion zone 1000m around the vessel is free of marine mammals (whales, dolphins, and seals) for 30 minutes before the operations commence.
9. If marine mammals are observed during the 30-minute period within 1000m of the vessel, the start of operations should be delayed until they move away and 30 minutes without marine mammal observations within the exclusion zone has passed.
From witnesses who saw the incidents of the dolphins being chased by the boats it is clear that these rules were breached.
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