Further oil spill from stricken cargo ship

THERE has been a further release of diesel oil from the cargo vessel Lysblink Seaway, which remains aground at Kilchoan, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency reported today.
Following discussions between the Secretary of State’s representative for maritime salvage and intervention, Hugh Shaw, and Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Counter-Pollution, an absorbent boom has been put in to cope with the oil leak from the starboard side of the vessel.
Weather conditions have moderated slightly this morning making it easier to use equipment.
Briggs Marine vessels Forth Jouster and Kingdom of Fife are on the scene and are supporting the salvage operation.
A team from Svitzer Salvage is currently on board the vessel conducting a detailed damage assessment.
Initial findings and salvage options will be reported to Hugh Shaw and the wider Salvage Control Unit later this afternoon.
A temporary exclusion zone of 100 metres has been established around the vessel, which ran aground in the early hours of yesterday morning with nine crew onboard.
The vessel was bound from Belfast to Skogn in Norway when she ran aground.