Grounded Cargo Ship Leaking Bunkers Off UK

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Monday February 23, 2015

A cargo ship that Wednesday ran aground off the UK and has been leaking diesel bunkers, BBC reports.

The 394 foot-long Lysblink Seaways is said to have run into difficulties at Kilchoan, near Ardnamurchan Point in Scotland on its way from Belfast, Northern Ireland, to Skogn, Norway.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) responded by deploying an absorbent boom, saying that diesel spills break up and evaporate more easily than crude oil spills.

No indication has yet been given on the extent of the leak, but it was reported on Friday that the vessel had been re-floated.

A Dutch salvage team are said to be surveying the vessel for damage, while two tugs have also been deployed by UK authorities to assist in the salvage operation.

"There is a lot of salvage work still to be done and as a matter of urgency the dive inspection needs to be completed so that the full condition of the vessel is known," said MCA.

"Equipment is still being brought to the site for the salvers but it is not easy to get to, making travel time longer."

The ship's crew of nine were reported to be unharmed.

In January, an oil spill was reported in Singapore following a collision between a tanker and a bulker.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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