A disused dredger berthed in Drogheda Port at the town's quay for almost a decade, needs to have a survey carried out and be certified for removal, has still yet to be completed.

The grab hopper-dredger Hebble Sand built in 1963, is alongside the North Quay in the centre of the County Louth town where in September last year, the vessel had partially sunk. 

The 60 year-old dredger which originally served in UK waters and then on the Irish Sea, included another link with Louth, as the 47m vessel had been based in the neighbouring port of Dundalk. 

Following the incident in Drogheda this led to renewed calls for the veteran vessel's removal. Asides the town quays, the port includes a main terminal downriver.

Since the partial sinking 14 months ago, the vessel which was re-floated and stabilised, however remains at the quay which is located west of the Boyne viaduct.

According to the Drogheda Port Company, there is ongoing contact with the dredger’s owner.

A Load Line Survey has yet to be completed, commented the Port which also said that the owners had indicated an application for the survey is to be carried out and be submitted.

RTE News has more to report.

As Afloat alluded above, Hebble Sand had worked in the UK, firstly with British Dredging and then with Associated British Ports (ABP).

The initials of the port group business (ABP) are embossed on the funnel as observed by Afloat when laid-up in Dublin. At that stage the dredger was put up for sale in 2011 having worked in Dundalk along with contract work among them the Lagan in Belfast and on the Liffey.