MV Lysblink Seaways Drags Anchor Amid Salvage Off Scotland

The DFDS Seaways cargo ship ‘Lysblink Seaways’ is continuous its battle in opposition to the weather after operating aground final week and later self-floating off the coast of Scotland.

According to an replace from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the MV Lysblink Seaways dragged anchor in robust winds early Sunday morning amid ongoing salvage operations. Following the incident, a tow line was positioned on board the the ship and it was towed again out to sea, the place the vessel stays secure and at anchor 1.5 miles east of Kilchoan, positioned on Scotland’s Ardnamurchan Peninsula, in Mingary Bay. All 9 crew stay on board.

The UK-flagged MV Lysblink Seaways ran aground on February 18 at Kilchoan within the western entrance to the Sound of Mull, inflicting the ship to leak a small quantity of oil. The vessel self-refloated shortly earlier than 9 p.m. the next day, at which level the vessel was moved to a close-by anchorage for inspection and salvage operations.

As of Sunday, salvors have been making closing preparatory for the switch of gas oil from the ship’s broken tank to different inner tanks on board the vessel. The MCA mentioned that the gas would should be faraway from the ship earlier than it may very well be towed away from the world, however that the operation was extremely depending on the climate. High winds are forecasted for the Sound of Mull till Tuesday, the MCA mentioned. The vessels ‘Forth Jouster’ and ‘Kingdom of Fife’ are on scene to help with the salvage operation.

No oil sheen had been reported because of the incident on Sunday.

The Scottish Environment Group continues to observe the operation, the MCA mentioned. A Marine Response Centre has been established to help with the oversight and supply of all counter air pollution measures.

The Temporary Exclusion Zone of 200 meters is now in place across the vessel’s new location.

So far there have been no indications of precisely how a lot gas has leaked from the vessel for the reason that preliminary grounding.

The MV Lysblink Seaways was carrying 50 tons of paper merchandise from Belfast to Skogn in Norway when the grounding occurred. No accidents have been reported.

The salvage is being carried out by Svitzer.