Authority Cautious - It's Not Over Yet

MEDIACOM-RELEASE-MSA

Warnings from the Maritime Safety Authority that the spill will not be over until all remaining oil is off the sunken trawler Seafresh 1 were proven right this morning.

A small amount of oil was spotted during the first flyover early morning. It has since been observed from the air again by a Convair overflight at 11.00am. Its size has not increased.

The sheen is about 25 metres wide and less than a mile long, streaky and breaking up as it is blown out to sea. Weather conditions today will favour its dispersal. It is fine and there is a ten knot southwest breeze.

It is likely that the oil is not a new leak, but oil which was trapped in a part of the hull such as the engine room, and escaped during the night when the vessel was buffeted by heavy seas.

The salvage team diving on the vessel this morning will establish the source of the sheen. In the unlikely event that this is a new leak, it will be plugged immediately.

"We will not be confident that the situation is fully resolved until remaining oil is off the trawler and navigation safety issues have been dealt with," said Mr Kilvington.

Please contact the media centre below for direct interviews, etc, as communications on the island need to be limited to response personnel.

ENDS

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