Environmental Update (September 2009)

Trawler Firm Fined £20,000 for Diesel Spillage

A Plymouth trawler company has been fined £20,000 after admitting that one of its fishing vessels polluted Plymouth harbour with diesel oil in October 2008. The company admitted causing poisonous, noxious or polluting matter to enter controlled waters.

The incident occurred when a trawler man was transferring fuel from one tank to another and had forgotten to turn off the pump. He had been distracted and had visited another fishing vessel during the pumping operation. The trawler man then went to bed.

Around six tonnes of fuel was lost overnight. In the morning, the company did deploy its own absorbent booms and pads to soak up some of the oil. However, the incoming tide had pushed the diesel up into the Plym Estuary, into Hooe Lake and Radford Lake. A resident also reported feeling nauseous and having stinging eyes as a result of the strong smell of diesel, near his home. The Environment Agency had previously warned the company in 2007 following a less serious spill.

The company said that since the latest incident it has installed alarms which automatically switch off a pump if the tank is overflowing, which should prevent any future incident.

For further information on compliance with Packaging and Oil Storage legislation should contact the Mentor Environmental Service on 0800 634 7006.