HM Coastguard responding to cargo ship that has run aground off the Orkney Islands - UPDATED


Image taken on scene by Thurso RNLI Lifeboat
Just after 3.30am today (18 July) HM Coastguard received a report that a vessel had run aground on the Pentland Skerries approximately 5nm north east of Duncansby Head.

The 89m cargo ship ‘Priscilla’ – with six people onboard - has reported no significant damage and there is no sign of any pollution on scene.
Thurso All Weather Lifeboat and a tug vessel are currently making preparations to refloat the vessel.  The MCA’s ETV Ievoli Black is now on route to the vessel and is expected to arrive at around 6pm. 

Kaimes Beasley, Duty Controller for HM Coastguard said:  ‘At this stage the vessel is stable and the crew on board are safe and well and there is no risk to life.  This incident is ongoing and we will provide further updates as the situation develops.’

UPDATE 12.20pm
There are currently two tugs and the Thurso RNLI Lifeboat on scene with the grounded vessel ‘Priscilla’ in the Pentland Firth.  A local tug was on scene early this morning and a more powerful tug, arranged by owner of the vessel, has now arrived from Scapa Flow.

The intention is to refloat the vessel early to mid-afternoon just before high water.  The vessel remains stable and there is still no reports of any significant damage to the vessel and no signs of any pollution.

The destination of the vessel for inspection and assessment is still under review. 

Kaimes Beasley, Duty Controller for HM Coastguard said:  ‘The crew are safe and well.  The weather conditions on scene are relatively calm for this type of operation and we will provide further updates as the situation unfolds.

UPDATE 3.00pm - It is expected that within the hour (at high water 4.00pm local time) an attempt will be made to tow the cargo vessel ‘Priscilla' from its current position.  Once clear, the Master of the vessel will conduct a stability assessment and confer with a MCA Surveyor before proceeding.  It is hoped that the vessel will be safe enough to be escorted into Lyness, Hoy for further inspection, assessment and any temporary repairs at this stage. The ETV Ievoli Black is still proceeding to the scene as a precautionary measure. Longhope RNLI Lifeboat is also on scene having taken over from Thurso RNLI Lifeboat.


UPDATE 6.00pm
After several attempts, the tugs on scene have been unable to refloat the cargo vessel ‘Priscilla’ during the high water period.
The Ievoli Black arrived on scene at around 5pm and is currently on standby, while a refloat plan is formulated.  The ETV will be standing by the vessel overnight and it is unlikely that a further attempt will be made to refloat the vessel before the next high water period which is due at 4am tomorrow (Thursday 19 July). 
The Longhope RNLI Lifeboat is also still on scene.
The vessel remains stable and there are still no signs of any major damage and no signs of any pollution.  The crew remain safe and well.   

UPDATE 08.30am Thursday 19 July
The situation remains unchanged.

No attempt has been made to move the vessel.  Two tugs (including the ETV ‘Ievoli Black’) are on scene standing by.


The vessel remains stable and there are no signs of any major damage or any signs of pollution.  The crew are safe and well.  An update will be provided when the situation changes.


UPDATE 1.00pm Thursday 19 July
Hugh Shaw, the Acting Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage & Intervention (SOSRep) is closely monitoring the situation and is in dialogue with the vessel’s owner and insurer regarding the future plans for salvage.
The vessel remains in a stable condition and the crew are safe and well.
There have been no reports of any pollution.

As soon as the Acting SOSRep has received and agreed the future plans, a further statement will be released.


UPDATE 4.00pm Thursday 19 July
Acting SOSRep Hugh Shaw said:  ‘Contracts are currently being finalised between the owner of the vessel, insurers and the salvors.  Once that’s all been agreed, a small team of salvors will head up to the incident site to start gathering information which will assist them in preparing the salvage plan. Once we’re at that stage, I will then meet with the salvors to discuss their proposals.’ 




UPDATE – 11.00am Friday 20 July
A consortium of experienced salvage companies – Multraship/Ardent/Wagenborg -  have now been appointed by the owner of MV PRISCILLA as their salvors.  Representatives from Ardent are expect to arrive at the vessel later this evening in order to carry out an initial assessment on Saturday 21 July.  Salvors have already commenced deploying equipment to the incident site.  It is expected that an outline salvage plan will be prepared for discussion between key stakeholders and the Acting SOSRep, Hugh Shaw for approval.  A Salvage Control Unit (SCU) will then be established near the incident.
 
Acting SOSRep Hugh Shaw has established a Temporary Exclusion Zone of 500m around the incident site to ensure that there is no risk to the safety of persons engaged on the salvage operations and for other shipping traffic transiting or working in the area.  As there is adequate tug and salvage support on scene, the ETV ‘Ievoli Black’ has resumed its patrolling duties.
 
The MV PRISCILLA remains stable but hard aground on the Pentland Skerries with the 6-person crew on board safe and well. 
 
No pollution has been reported.
 
Acting SOSRep Hugh Shaw said:  ‘This incident has now become a salvage operation in order to refloat the vessel.  The Pentland Firth is well known for the strength of its tides, which are among the fastest in the world, so I’m pleased that the owner’s representative and insurers have appointed experienced salvors without delay.  I am in dialogue with a number of  key stakeholders and once we have established and agreed the salvage plan, I will provide a further update on the way forward.’




 




 

 











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