oil slick

[tommo]

This oil slick could be bad news , seemingly they cant break it up!

Wexford and Waterford fishing well at the moment too!

So the russians refueled boats next to where it started but had nothing to do with it hmmmmm

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0217/oil.html

[adam.urwin]

Looks like its gonna be harsh alright. Another link here

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/bre ... king51.htm

It's currently spread over an area measuring 4.5km by 5km but about 30 to 40km off shore. The report says that tar balls will hit the coastline, which to be honest don't sound good. Not sure how much it affects fish but the local birds and potentially all food stuffs - worms, crabs etc will be badly affected.

[inigo]

From the news it seems that the authorities are "monitoring" the situation. Are they going to do something before it's too late??? Or are they just going to sit and look at the spillage spread, move and hit the coast??? Jesus, I still remember the disaster in NW Spain!! POLITICIANS!!!!!!! Will the ever learn????

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prestige_oil_spill

[adam.urwin]

they have said that they're "considering" sending a barge out to see if they can clean it up at sea. But "considering" is a long way from doing. I consider a lot of things that I never do!

[bhoy32]

what a dissaster this could be if the powers that be dont do something quick what were the reds doing over here in irish waters anyway they have no legitimate reason to be where they were or did they

[uvox]

i think we all know what the authorities intend doing here - they're hoping the weather and the sea takes care of it.
it'll take a couple of weeks for any of it - if any - to come ashore in ireland as tar...

[jd]

From RTE

The Coast Guard was to send a tug from Cork in a bid to assess if it is possible to recover some of the oil on the water. A tanker is available in Cork to carry out the work if required.

However, the spokesman said the international experience of such work 'was not high', particularly after the oil has been on the water for some days and spread.
Spraying the oil, in order to break-up the slick, needed to happen within 12 hours to have any chances of success.

I think the coastguard are saying there is very little that can be done about it at this stage

[jd]

what were the reds doing over here in irish waters anyway they have no legitimate reason to be where they were or did they

They were outside territorial waters, and could have been patrolling anywhere in the Atlantic

[uvox]

Ah come on lads, give the pride of the motherland a break. we've all spilt a wee drop of pethril on the tarmac haven't we? i have to say though this really is a good reason to only use nuclear power on those ships, barring the odd fender bender between french and brit subs, it's much safer...

[BASS POINT]

All Councils have oil booms and we should be asking for these to be on stand by should they be required to protect the coast any where like Tramore bay where there is SAC/SPA NHA areas there is an EU requirement for protection.
We have already asked the question of Waterford co co and are waiting a reply will let you know answer.




Rinnashark sac
rinnasharksac@gmail.com

[Bradan]

Last email I got from Dept:

This Press Release follows an update earlier this afternoon, from the Department of Transport regarding an oil pollution incident off Fastnet Rock.

Further overflights of the pollution site took place today.
The latest estimate this evening, is of 522 tonnes of fuel oil spreading out in a three distinct slicks that are now 39 miles south of the Old Head of Kinsale.

The slick is breaking up, thinning and is naturally reducing and spreading over a larger area and moving eastwards paralleling the coast 30 - 40 miles off.
LE Aisling and HMS Gloucester have taken samples of the oil from the scene, which were collected by the Coast Guard Helicopter and brought to Waterford for onward dispatch for testing by a specialist laboratory in Scotland.
The Coast Guard contracted an Irish Shannon-based tug MV Celtic Isle this afternoon to proceed to the spill at 19:30 this evening and evaluate the efficacy of mechanical recovery at sea.
The Coast Guard have also put EMSA's oil recovery vessel MT Galway Fisher on standby and recovery equipment will be loaded onboard in Cork. This vessel will be deployed dependant on the outcome of the trials by the tug, Celtic Isle, tomorrow.
The Coast Guard has convened an inter-Governmental Group to monitor and advise on the current situation and potential impact to the coastline and marine environment.
Physical recovery of pollution ashore is based on mechanical and manual recovery. This involves the use of specialist equipment, such as skimmers and bulldozers to clear heavy pollutant. Local authority personnel carry this out under the coordination of the Coast Guard.
All local authorities should have oil pollution response plans.

At this point it is too early to accurately predict what volumes may come ashore and therefore what environmental, commercial and visual impact is involved.
ENDS

[uvox]

the spill is outside irish territorial waters, though it's within the economic and environmental zone that ireland presides over, so it's brian cowen and co who need to act.

[jd]

visible from space on tuesday...

[slowarm]

This oil slick could be bad news , seemingly they cant break it up!

Wexford and Waterford fishing well at the moment too!

So the russians refueled boats next to where it started but had nothing to do with it hmmmmm

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0217/oil.html

When the Air Corps Casa arrived at the scene, the Tanker and the Aircraft Carrier were sitting in the middle of the slick and started off by denying it had anything to do with them. 'Vat Oyle?? Vere did dat kum from?? Id vasent me, you did not see me and you can't prove anydink!!!' Jeez I didn't realize I could type with a russian accent.

FYI, they were appearently on their way back from excercises in the Med. The won't travel between France and Britain unless they have to, so it's out around the western seaboard.