A red–hulled ship and her crew at anchor on Dublin Bay since August are set for a lonely Christmas on the capital's waters. The long term anchorage of the 'Iver Ability' follows a fire onboard the Asphalt/Bitumen Tanker during her transport of Bitumen into Dublin Port this summer.
This morning the ship is one of only two located in the Port's designated anchorage in the Southern Bay.
Initial enquires about what sources told Afloat.ie was 'an explosion' on board the ship drew a 'no comment' response from port authorities. This week the Dutch ship managers told Afloat.ie the 129m–vessel is the 'subject of an investigation' into how its cargo experienced a 'reaction' during operations in August.
Managers Iver Ships say following the reaction the 2006–built vessel was transferred to anchorage where she has become a talking point for many Dubliners around the shores of Dublin Bay.
The situation has, say the managers, 'stabilised with no further pressure release of the cargo occurring'. The exact cause of the cargo’s reaction is yet unknown. A full investigation is being conducted.
Iver Ability is currently still at anchorage in the port of Dublin and fully operational with all seafarers performing normal duties and standard crew changes taking place.
Discussions with charterers are ongoing on a port of discharge for the vessel’s cargo.