CAMPAIGNERS are calling for much more stringent safety measures at Scottish ports after a narrowly avoided environmental disaster earlier this month.
On Tuesday, February 2, two large drillships broke their moorings during a period of severe weather at the Hunterston Port, just a short distance from the Hunterston nuclear reactor site.
It was later revealed that port owners, Peel Ports, were warned about the safety issues of having two huge oil drilling vessels berthed off the North Ayrshire coast two weeks before the incident occurred.
The local community council raised concerns about the safety of having two huge drillships in the narrow waters of the Firth of Clyde when they arrived there last year.
Th Farilie Community Council were concerned that the berthing of the two huge vessels was "not being overseen adequately" in a letter to Peel Ports on January 21.
The letter also raised concerns that it seemed there was "nobody in overall charge at the jetty".
The Friends of the Firth of Clyde group have said that: “It is clear this incident was averted from serious accident by a number of chance circumstances and the swift action of our emergency services. Should this not have occurred, there could have been a dual shipwreck, with likely high environmental damage and potential loss of life. We demand a full and public incident investigation in order to prevent reoccurrence and to guarantee that any proposals for future use of the terminal will be fully scrutinised in light of this investigation.”
READ MORE: Safety fears as Hunterston reactor cracks predicted to rise to 1000
After the first ship broke its moorings at around 7.20pm, a mayday call was made and local coastguard, RNLI and Clydeport tugboats were scrambled from Girvan to Greenock to assist along with helicopter support. The weather conditions were very poor with Easterly winds over 40mph and heavy waves.
It is understood that due to an "unorthodox mooring arrangement" where the anchor was already deployed, the vessel did not become shipwrecked on the nearby Isle of Cumbrae.
With the Coastguard led operation at Hunterston ongoing, Once again Girvan Lifeboat & our volunteer crew launched in the early hrs & headed up the coast to relieve our colleagues at Troon Lifeboat, we remain standing by for the 2nd day at an incident that began on Tuesday evening pic.twitter.com/w5OYVnkdoD
— RNLI Girvan Lifeboat (@GirvanRNLI) February 4, 2021
The second vessel broke its moorings and detached from the jetty as emergency services arrived. Emergency services were in attendance at the scene for almost two full days.
Nuclear safety group Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) Scotland and marine protection group Kimo UK are raising concerns after the incident and calling for an increase in the number of emergency towing vessels in Scotland in light of this incident.
The groups support concerns raised by the Friends of the Firth of Clyde group due to the high environmental value of the area around Hunterston being designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as well as an MPA (Marine Protected Area).
READ MORE: Nuclear developments in Scotland must be opposed by MPs and MSPs
NFLA Scotland convener, councillor Feargal Dalton said: “This incident shows again the dangers that continue to arise from ships and marine vessels getting into trouble around the Scottish coast. It is why our long-term support with Kimo International for an increase of emergency towing vessels around Scotland is more urgent than ever.
"Some of these shipping accidents have occurred in vessels containing radioactive materials, so our concern remains pressing. Another major marine accident was again only just averted by the dedication of emergency staff and an element of good fortune. It should not be like this, and improved emergency arrangements are urgently required across Scotland.”
Kimo UK chair, councillor Bill Howatson added: “At Kimo UK we have been campaigning to maintain and increase the provision of Emergency Towing Vessels all around Scotland for many years. This episode is yet another stark reminder of how important it is that sufficient measures are in place to ensure safety at sea and protect our precious marine environment."
Peel Ports have been contacted for comment.
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