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The chief of the Irish Coast Guard is expressing frustration with Canadian authorities for their February decision to send a derelict, rat-infested “biohazard” bobbing toward the Emerald Isle.

“It was over 10 days from when it went missing to when we were told about it,” Irish Coast Guard director Chris Reynolds told the Irish Independent this week. “We would have been much happier if they told us much earlier.”

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“We could have sank it or towed it in for salvage.”

The biohazard in question is the MV Lyubov Orlova, a former Arctic cruise ship that broke free from its tow line eight months ago while being pulled out of St. John’s harbour in Newfoundland. It was destined for a scrapyard in the Dominican Republic.

Although briefly corralled by a private supply ship, the Orlova was cut loose into international waters as soon as it was clear of Canadian offshore oil platforms.

Transport Canada then announced it had “decided not to pursue the drifting vessel,” due to safety concerns.