Wind direction could save coast from oil spill

The direction of the wind could save the North Yorkshire coast from suffering the effects of an oil spill following a collision between two ships, an expert has said.

The tanker Stena Immaculate was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel oil and at anchor when it was struck by the cargo vessel Solong in the North Sea on Monday.

It is still unclear how much of the oil has entered the water, but fears of an environmental "catastrophe" have been raised.

However, BBC Look North meteorologist Paul Hudson said there was "little chance" of any polluted material reaching areas further north of the crash site 13 miles from Hull and Grimsby, because the winds were blowing in the opposite direction.

He added that North Yorkshire coastal towns such as Scarborough and Whitby were unlikely to be affected.

However, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has warned of a "huge threat to wildlife" and the potential impact on seabird colonies.

Local businesses have also said they are monitoring the situation.

Scarborough-based surfing coach Matt Jones said: "It's always on the radar because it [the sea] is our playground. It's what we exist to do.

"We are very aware of the situation and watching developments."

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Joe Redfern, manager of the Whitby Lobster Hatchery, a marine conservation charity, said: "As we have experienced pollution-related mass mortality incidents along this coast in the past, we will be watching how things progress with a keen eye."

Mr Redfern said local communities "rely on healthy seas".

"As this disaster progresses, we hope huge efforts are made to reduce any damage to the environment as much as possible," added Mr Redfern.

The owner of the oil tanker confirmed at least one fuel tank had ruptured during the incident.

Alison Hume, the MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said fishermen were "extremely concerned by reports of jet fuel leaking into the sea".

Humberside Police said a 59-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision.

The prevailing wind both now and over the next few days is crucial in determining what will happen with the fuel and any other chemicals that have spilled from the tanker collision.

Real time observations in the area show a northerly wind in the vicinity of the incident, which is forcing the sea at the surface to move in a south-southwest direction, towards the Lincolnshire coast.

The forecast is similar over the next few days, which means there is little chance of any remaining pollution from the tanker reaching the North Yorkshire coastline.

On Tuesday HM Coastguard said its counter-pollution and salvage team was "assessing the situation and is developing a plan ready for implementation as soon as the situation allows".

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that air quality at ground level was currently within normal levels for the weather conditions.

Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency said any public health risk on shore was currently "very low".

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