The
vessel ran aground in the Sound of Mull last Monday morning
and was refloated on Friday evening after being anchored 1.5
miles east of Tobermory.
Robin Middleton, the Secretary of State's Representative
for Maritime Salvage & Intervention (SOSREP) who headed
up the Salvage Control Unit (SCU) earlier accepted a salvage
plan put forward by salvors Smit Tak in the light of a dive
survey following the refloating operation.
Damage to the three tanks included several cracks; one is
extensive and is described as a 'star' formation where the
metal of the five split strands has bent upwards at a
90-degree angle, with the longest strand radiating to around
4 metres.
SOSREP, Robin Middleton said, "The amount of damage
to the hull of the vessel prohibited an on scene repair. At
present a number of small craft with towing booms are
following the 'Lysfoss' as she is being towed very slowly
out of the Sound of Mull collecting any residue oil. Very
small patches of light sheen have been seen in the water,
which have quickly dispersed. The MCA surveillance aircraft
has been on scene throughout the operation this
morning."
At Belfast the vessel's cargo will be removed before
onward passage to the continent for full repair.
Shoreline Response teams, including specialists from the
MCA and other authorities involved have continued to inspect
the coastline around the Sound of Mull. A significant
percentage of the oil, which entered the water on Friday
evening, has been recovered by booming when the 'Lysfoss'
was refloated has been tracked, and evaporation has occurred
along with natural biodegrading.
