This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-northern-ireland-16381417
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| High winds delay transfer of tanker's oil cargo | |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| The transfer of 54,000 tonnes of oil from a damaged oil tanker in Belfast Lough has been further delayed. | |
| The Genmar Companion has been anchored off the Copeland Islands after a crack developed in its upper deck on 16 December. | The Genmar Companion has been anchored off the Copeland Islands after a crack developed in its upper deck on 16 December. |
| The oil transfer, which could take between 24 and 36 hours, had been due to take place on Monday but was put back because of high winds. | The oil transfer, which could take between 24 and 36 hours, had been due to take place on Monday but was put back because of high winds. |
| Plans to complete the transfer on Tuesday are also in doubt. | |
| The ship will enter Belfast harbour for repairs as soon as the oil is taken off the vessel. | |
| Transfer of the cargo was originally delayed from Saturday. | Transfer of the cargo was originally delayed from Saturday. |
| The tanker was sailing from Rotterdam to New York when its deck cracked. | The tanker was sailing from Rotterdam to New York when its deck cracked. |
| The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said preparations for the transfer of the oil to the BW Seine had been under way for several days. | The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said preparations for the transfer of the oil to the BW Seine had been under way for several days. |
| The agency said stringent safeguards would be observed throughout the operation to ensure the safety of the crew, the environment and other vessels in the area. | The agency said stringent safeguards would be observed throughout the operation to ensure the safety of the crew, the environment and other vessels in the area. |
| Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State's representative for maritime salvage and intervention, says the cargo is safe within the tanks. | |
| "The Genmar Companion has been sitting safely anchored since before Christmas, and the situation hasn't worsened in any way," he said. | |
| "The cargo tanks are not affected, there is no cracking near the tanks." |