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
 
Further information:
Press Office: Department of Transport:   (01) 604 1091/(01) 604 1091
Caroline Ryan: (086) 891 5570