Little pollution risk from beached vessel says Coastguard
THE Coastguard has said a large fishing vessel which ran aground at the mouth of Strangford Lough on Saturday does not ‘pose a significant, long-term’ pollution threat.
The 18m fishing vessel Mellifont has been aground at Rua Point, south of Portaferry, since early on Saturday morning and there have been concerns from local politicians that the 1,000 litres of fuel on board could pose a pollution threat to the internationally regarded maritime nature reserve.
However, the Coastguard, which has been closely monitoring the vessel since the weekend, says engineers have been on board conducting repairs and the Meillifont is expected to be refloated later this week.
The Coastguard also says that contingency plans have been developed ‘to ensure a positive outcome and minimise adverse effects on marine life’.
The Mellifont had been berthed in Carrickfergus for the past two years before leaving on Friday to journey to Carlingford Lough. However, on Friday afternoon, the three-man crew anchored the vessel north of Killard Point close to Ardglass and made their way ashore in a rubber dinghy.
The men walked to the Cable Bar, at Ballyhornan, when the Coastguard and police were alerted that the vessel had been anchored off shore.
Portaferry and Newcastle Coastguard Rescue Teams were tasked to the scene and when police arrived, they arrested two of the men.
Strong overnight winds saw the Mellifont drag its anchor and drift into Strangford Lough before coming aground on Rua Point. Members of Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Team have been monitoring the vessel since it came ashore.
A statement issued by the Coastguard said the Mellifont has an estimated 1,000 litres of fuel on board but does not pose a significant, long-term pollution risk.
“The owner is carrying out repairs to their vessel and has plans to continue their journey,” said the statement.
“HM Coastguard is supporting partner agencies to develop contingency plans to ensure a positive outcome and minimise adverse effects on marine life.”
A spokeswoman for Ards and North Down Council said the ‘management and monitoring’ of the fishing vessel is the responsibility of the Coastguard.
“Other key partners including the Department for Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Department for Infrastructure (Strangford Ferry operator) are providing support,” said the spokeswoman.
“There is currently no role for the council, but officers are maintaining a ‘watching brief’ and have been in contact with the key agencies since we were advised of the incident on Saturday.”
Politicians have expressed concern about the pollution implications of the grounding.
DUP Alderman Robert Adair said Strangford Lough is one of only three Marine Nature Reserves in the UK and ‘must be preserved and protected for future generations’.
Mr Adair said it is unacceptable that there hasn’t been any action to remove fuel from the vessel.
“I am calling for a joined up approach from the council and agencies to work together to remove the fuel from the vessel to ensure the pollution risk is addressed as a matter of urgency,” he said.
Councillor Joe Boyle said it is important the vessel is monitored and carefully managed to ensure it doesn’t capsize and spill fuel into the lough.
“The council will be maintaining an interest in any future developments with this present situation and will be keeping in close contact with the various agencies with any directions at this stage being directed to His Majesty’s Coast Guard,” said the SDLP politician.
UUP councillor Pete Wray said it is important the vessel is moved to safety with no negative impact to the environment.
“If the vessel breaks up or leaks fuel, this would clearly bring a substantial risk and danger to our community and environment,” he said.
“Further to this, it’s important that the owner of the vessel takes responsibility for its removal. In the past these situations have occurred resulting in Council having to foot the bill for disposal. This is not acceptable, and we owe it to the ratepayer to ensure that those responsible take accountability and remove it as soon as possible,” he added.
