Alert after oil slick spotted off Hoy
(Story date: May 8, 2002)

Orkney's Harbour Authority was placed on a state of alert today following the report of a large oil slick west of Torness, Hoy.

Situation reports suggest the slick is breaking up and being carried out to sea. There remains a small chance, however, that a change in tide and wind could bring the oil inshore.

The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) is presently overseeing the operation and the Harbour Authority is monitoring the situation very closely.

The source of the slick has not yet been identified.

Orkney Islands Council's director of harbours, Captain Nigel Mills, said: "We received a report late this morning from a helicopter pilot who reported an extensive slick west of Torness. At this stage the slick appears to be moving away from the coastline and is being broken up by wind and waves. Presently the wind forecasts are favourable from our point of view and we do not consider the oil to pose a major threat to the coast line of Orkney at this time.

"Whilst this slick remains out at sea the primary responsibility for dealing with it rests with the MCA although obviously we are monitoring the situation very closely and liasing with them. In the event that the slick was to come ashore then we would take over responsibility for dealing with it.

"It is not clear at this stage where the slick has originated and it would be inappropriate at this point to speculate whilst investigations are continuing.

"An aircraft with an Orkney Harbours Scientific Officer aboard was instructed to fly over the sight in order to give us a fuller picture of the extent of the slick. He has reported back that the slick does appear to be breaking up with wind and wave action. The Customs vessel Seeker was also despatched in order to take samples and has reported that there is a thin sheen of oil on the surface. The Authority's Assistant Oil Pollution Marine Safety Officer has also taken samples from the scene for analysis.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and our contingency plans are well in hand to deal with the slick in the event that it changes course and comes inshore."