The removal of around 24,000 litres of fuel leaking from the MV Carrier that run aground at Llanddulas, near Colwyn Bay, on Tuesday is being carried out by the salvage teams of PGC Demolition Company as of Thursday, BBC informs.
The work is expected to continue through Saturday, while the removal of the vessel is yet to be commissioned. Namely the ship has been inflicted with three holes on the starboard side. Luckily the port side, where the main fuel supply of the vessel was stored, remained intact.
The Department of Transport’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch is conducting investigation on the accident, which required rescuing of seven crew members of Polish nationality.
The salvage operation has been hampered by inclement weather and high waves, which could have influenced moving of the ship and perpetuate greater environmental disaster.
Even though the scope of the accident in terms of fuel spillage is not as grave as was previously suspected Gill Bell, Wales programme manager at the Marine Conservation Society , said that “even small amounts of oil could have an adverse effect on sea birds.“
The worries were confirmed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds as well, since the area represents a conservation zone.
It is estimated that any more fuel leaking from the vessel would be limited to a small area between Colwyn Bay and Rhyl.
As stated by the member of Environment Agency Wales Sian Williams there is “no evidence of any oil or fuel on the beach, confirming the claims that the accident has a minimal effect on the environment.”
“It’s important to recognise this is not crude oil, it’s not the really heavy type of oil that can affect wildlife,” she concluded.
[mappress]
World Maritime News Staff, April 6, 2012