Possible Pollution Follow Sinking of Fishing Vessel Atlantic Osprey.
UPDATED STATEMENT Statement January 30, 2017 5pm
Sinking of Fishing Vessel Atlantic Osprey
Fingal County Council will move oil pollution response equipment to a staging area adjacent to Balbriggan harbour in case it is required following the sinking of the fishing vessel Atlantic Osprey earlier this morning.
The fishing vessel is understood to have been carrying approximately 400 litres of diesel and 30 litres of lube oil when it sank as attempts were being made by the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI to tow the vessel back into port. The five crew members were rescued after their vessel had got into difficulty.
Since first light, the Irish Coast Guard and Fingal County Council have been actively monitoring the area for signs of fuel leakage from the vessel and a light film of diesel oil has been spotted flowing in a northerly direction away from the shoreline. It is projected that this light film of diesel oil will evaporate or be broken up at sea.
However, following a meeting of Fingal County Council’s Oil Pollution Response Team this afternoon, it was decided to deploy anti-pollution equipment including booms, skimmers, tanks and pumps to Balbriggan as a precautionary measure in case there is a change in wind direction over the next few days and this light film of diesel oil starts to move towards the shoreline.
The potential risk for harm to marine life including seabirds is considered small given the nature and extent of the pollutant involved. The risk of significant damage to the ecosystem is low because this is a small spill and winter migration means that the threat to vulnerable bird communities is greatly reduced. There is no nesting activity at this time of year on any nearby islands.
Fingal County Council has informed Meath and Louth County Councils that the light film of diesel oil is moving northwards and also made all relevant agencies aware of the situation.
The Irish Coast Guard is working with the vessel’s owners and insurers to prepare to salvage the vessel.
-ENDS-
Statement January 30, 2017 12pm
Photo Credit Edward Carvin
Fingal County Council is monitoring an area south of Balbriggan harbour for signs of possible pollution follow the sinking of the fishing vessel Atlantic Osprey earlier this morning.
The fishing vessel is understood to have been carrying
approximately 400 litres of diesel and 30 litres of lube oil
when it sank as attempts were being made by the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI to tow the vessel back into port. The five crew members were rescued after their vessel had got into difficulty.
The Irish Coast Guard and Fingal County Council are actively monitoring the area for signs of fuel leakage from the vessel.
Staff members from the Council’s Operations and Environmental Departments are ready to activate Fingal County Council’s Oil Pollution Response Plan if required. Council staff will respond to pollution reaching the beaches in the area while the Irish Coast Guard are working with the vessel’s owners and insurers to prepare to salvage the vessel.
Photo Credit Edward Carvin