LORNA SIGGINS, Marine Correspondent
THE CAPTAIN of the Asgard II has expressed confidence that the national sail training vessel can be raised from the seabed off north-west France.
Capt Colm Newport, who was responsible for the safe evacuation of all 24 fellow crew and trainees from the vessel last September, hopes that approval for the salvage will be given by Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea after a second survey. Capt Newport confirmed to RTÉ yesterday that the vessel's rigging was largely intact, and said that a salvage partner had been identified after a "fairly lengthy" tendering process.
However, the west Cork based company which is due to carry out a second underwater survey of the ship in mid-January says that trawling in the area could inflict damage upon the hull if it remains much longer on the seabed.
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