New attempt to load ferries bound for Mauritius

Yet another effort will be made today to transport two passenger ferries from Galway to Mauritius after another attempt had to be called off.

The saga of transporting the two Aran Island ferries took another twist on Saturday afternoon when the hoisting of the first ferry aboard a large cargo ship had to be abandoned when an alarm went off. But there was some good news. An arrest order on the 'Thor Gitta' was lifted over the weekend and it will depart as soon as the two small ferries are loaded.

The 7,000 tonne cargo ship was placed under arrest on Thursday as new complications arose with the efforts to transport two passenger ferries.

The two Aran islands ferries bound for Mauritius 'Clann na nOileain' and 'Clann Eagle 1' are due to be loaded in Galway docks today as investigations continue into previous attempts to load the ferries.

Ten days ago the 'Clann na nOileain' plunged 40 feet as it was being hoisted on to the 'Thor Gitta' in Galway docks.

Three workers suffered minor injuries in the incident.

A week earlier the 'Pantanal' -- a 120 metre cargo vessel -- was damaged after it went aground on rocks, when it arrived in Ireland to transport the two ferries. The Pantanal sailed from Galway on Saturday.