Update on fishing vessel grounded in South Skerries, Shetland
Update:
6.25pm Sunday 4 August
Aith RNLI all weather lifeboat returned to the grounded vessel
at around 11.20am today to keep a watch on the vessel as high tide approached
in case it refloated. However, the vessel was reported to be hard aground.
The
lifeboat has reported an oily sheen around the vessel and the immediate skerry,
the precise source of the leak from the fishing vessel is unknown at the
moment.
The
fishing vessel’s master and chief engineer were transferred back onboard late
this afternoon to undertake an inspection of engines and propeller, and to see
the extend of any other damage. During this inspection, the vessel took on a
greater list to port and the personnel were recovered to their support vessel,
they have now returned to Scalloway.
The
wider MCA response organisation has been activated, with the Duty Counter
Pollution & Salvage Office (DCSPO), Duty Secretary of States Representative (SOSRep) and
Duty Survey and Inspections Officer all engaged with the incident.
A
more detailed survey of the grounded vessel will be needed to determine future
salvage action.
Note: We don't currently have any photographs available from the scene but some helicopter footage from HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Sumburgh from early this morning has been made available to us.
Update 5/8/2019
The FV
COELLEIRA remains aground on the Ve Skerry with a slight list to port today (5
August). The government ETV, the IEVOLI BLACK remains on scene as guardship.
The
light diesel pollution reported yesterday has dissipated.
The
vessel’s owners and insurers have been asked to appoint a salvor and the MCA is
waiting for notification of who will undertake the task and the proposed
salvage plan. As part of this work the insurers have also appointed a
marine surveyor, based in Lerwick, to inspect the vessel this afternoon (5
August).
The MCA and MAIB incident management organisations are
collaborating fully with other bodies including Marine Scotland (MS), the
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Natural Heritage
(SNH, all of which are regularly briefed on the situation. The MCA’s Secretary
of State’s Representative (SOSRep) for Maritime Salvage & Intervention is
continuing to monitor the situation.