Ship Drifting Without Any Crew Since September 2019, Found Aground

Rescue 117 was tasked on 17th February, to a vessel aground near Ballycotton, Cork. There was nobody on board. Previously the USCG had rescued the 10 crew members from the vessel back in September 2018. The vessel has been drifting since and came ashore on the Cork coastline.

Image Credits: @IrishCoastGuard

Cork County Council’s Oil Spill Assessment Team convened again today at 12.15PM as part of its Oil Spill Contingency Plan in response to the grounding of a cargo ship near Ballycotton, County Cork yesterday.

Cork County Council’s Environmental Scientists have visited the area and are satisfied that there is currently no visible pollution within the Ballycotton Bay Special Protection Area or nearby proposed Natural Heritage Areas.

Image Credits: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision Photography

Cork County Council has consulted with the Coast Guard in terms of pollution risk and the parties have agreed to have an initial assessment of pollution risk carried out. The council has requested its marine contractor to carry out this initial assessment of the wreck. Following an appropriate risk assessment, the contractor will board the vessel at the next suitable opportunity which is expected to be at low tide tomorrow morning, Tuesday February 18th at approximately 7.00AM. Any risk in relation to oil, other hazardous substances and pollution from the vessel will be evaluated.

Consultations are continuing between the Irish Coastguard, Cork County Council, the Receiver of Wrecks and other relevant bodies in relation to the future of the wreck.
Cork County Council is again asking members of the public to stay away from the wreck location as it is located on a dangerous and inaccessible stretch of coastline and is in an unstable condition.

Reference: Irish Coast Guard | corkcoco.ie

Source: Maritime Shipping News