The potential risk to marine life, including sea birds, following the sinking of a fishing trawler off the north Dublin coast this morning is “small”, the local authority for the area has said.
The 12m vessel Atlantic Osprey was holed after drifting on to rocks just south of Balbriggan harbour at about 5am and sank about three hours later. Five fishermen were rescued from the sinking boat.
Fingal County Council said on Monday evening it would move oil pollution response equipment to a staging area adjacent to the harbour in case it was required.
It said the fishing vessel was understood to have been carrying about 400 litres of diesel and 30 litres of lube oil when it sank as attempts were being made by the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI to tow it back into port.
“Since first light, the Irish Coast Guard and Fingal County Council have been actively monitoring the area for signs of fuel leakage from the vessel and a light film of diesel oil has been spotted flowing in a northerly direction away from the shoreline,” the council said in a statement.
“ It is projected that this light film of diesel oil will evaporate or be broken up at sea.”
But following a meeting of the council’s oil pollution response team on Monday afternoon, it was decided to deploy anti-pollution equipment including booms, skimmers, tanks and pumps to Balbriggan as a “precautionary measure”.
This is in case there is a change in wind direction over the next few days and the light film of diesel oil starts to move towards the shoreline.
“The potential risk for harm to marine life including seabirds is considered small given the nature and extent of the pollutant involved,” the council said.
“The risk of significant damage to the ecosystem is low because this is a small spill and winter migration means that the threat to vulnerable bird communities is greatly reduced. There is no nesting activity at this time of year on any nearby islands.”
Fingal County Council has informed Meath and Louth County Councils that thefilm of diesel oil is moving northwards and has also made all relevant agencies aware of the situation.
It said the Irish Coast Guard was working with the vessel’s owners and insurers to prepare to salvage the vessel.
It is understood the engine of the boat became disabled while at sea.
Three RNLI lifeboats from Howth, Skerries and Clogherhead and the Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 were dispatched to the scene when the emergency calls came in.
The crew were transferred to the Howth RNLI lifeboat after it managed to get alongside the stricken vessel.
A Coast Guard spokesman said: “The crew, despite the ordeal, are reported to be in good spirits.”
Three pumps were transferred to the stricken trawler in a bid to keep it afloat after the men were taken off the vessel but lifeboat volunteers could not prevent it from sinking.
Additional reporting: PA