APPENDIX III.
REPAIR OF DREDGERS BY THE BOARD OF WORKS.
Memorandum concerning the Board’s dredgers, with special reference to the economy of expenditure on periodical overhaul.
The Board have three dredgers—“Sisyphus”, “Saxifrage”
and “Fág-an-Bealach”. The “Sisyphus” and “Saxifrage”
are required for maintenance work at the State harbours, Dún Laoghaire, Howth and Dunmore East. The “Fág-an-Bealach”, which was transferred to the Board from the Department of Fisheries, is required for maintenance work at fishery harbours, principally at Arklow and Balbriggan.
Particulars of these vessels are as follows:—
Sisyphus: |
Bucket-type Hopper dredger, built about 1905, at a cost of approximately £10,000. This vessel was overhauled in 1935-36 at a cost of £2,023, after which it was certified at Lloyds with “A.1.” classification. The vessel is now regarded as a fully effective dredger with an expectation of ten years life from 1936, subject to an average annual cost of about £1,000 for docking and repairs. |
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A dredger of a similar type to replace the “Sisyphus” would cost £35,000 to £40,000, or about £45,000, if built in Ireland. The Board are satisfied that it is economical to maintain this vessel. |
Saxifrage: |
Hopper grab and Rock-breaker dredger built in 1908, at a cost of about £5,600. The annual overhaul of this vessel for the past ten years cost about £350 a year. The vessel is due to be reconditioned this year, after which she will have a further useful life of about ten years with normal maintenance cost. |
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A vessel to replace the “Saxifrage” would probably cost from £9,000 to £12,000. The Board are satisfied that it is economical to maintain this vessel. |
Fág-an-Bealach: |
Hopper suction dredger built in 1905-6 at a cost of approximately £7,000. This vessel developed serious boiler defects in 1936, and was docked and surveyed to determine the probable cost of reconditioning to a fully effective standard. The cost was estimated at £4,000. |
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As the vessel was required for dredging at Arklow it was decided to execute temporary repairs so that she could carry on in service for about a year, when she would be again drydocked and a more detailed examination made so that the Board might be advised as to the best course of action. An exhaustive examination cannot be effected without completely opening up the boiler room. |
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The temporary repairs cost £206 and have proved satisfactory so far. |
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The probable cost of a new dredger to replace the “Fág-an-Bealach” would be from £15,000 to £20,000. If the vessel is to be reconditioned to a fully effective standard the outlay may be as much as £4,000, after which she would be good for a further ten years, but pending a more detailed examination of her condition, decision has not yet been taken as to the course to be followed. |
It may be added that the Board have no alternative to the keeping of dredging plant. There are no dredging contractors in the Saorstát, and the amount of work to be done at the State harbours is too small to attract an outside contractor. Owing to the heavy nature of the work expenditure on overhaul and reconditioning is large, but not out of proportion to the current capital cost of such vessels. The vessels are handled with care to avoid unnecessary wear and tear, and every effort is made to secure economy of expenditure and to safeguard the public interest in this respect.
(Signed) J. CONNOLLY,
Office of Public Works
22nd July, 1937.
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