Ship pollution fears allayed

The vessel foundered off the Summer Isles

Pollution from the wreck of cargo ship the MV Jambo which sank off Wester Ross last summer has shown no cause for concern, according to a report.

The ship and its cargo of more than 3,000 tonnes of zinc sulphide are still lying on the sea floor after efforts to raise her were abandoned.

Officials have found no evidence of damage to the marine environment.

However, they have called for a three-year environmental monitoring programme at the site.

The Jambo hit rocks off the Summer Isles early on the morning of 29, June 2003.

A report issued by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MIB) said that the chief officer had fallen asleep while alone on the bridge.

It is important to ensure the levels of zinc and other associated metals continue to remain acceptably low and that is why the monitoring must continue David Jamieson Shipping Minister

Investigators also found that a seaman assigned to the watch had been absent from the bridge for at least an hour before the vessel got into difficulties.

The 61 metre-long German owned vessel was carrying 3,300 tonnes of zinc sulphide.

Initial advice to a specially established Environment Group was that the zinc was hazardous and posed a chronic risk to the marine environment.

A salvage operation began but was abandoned in October 2003 because of the high costs involved and the prospect of poor winter weather.

A diving survey for the Department for Transport found that zinc levels in the water and in the sediments around the wreck remain low.

Tests of scallops and crabs show there is no risk to human health by eating them.

Monitoring to continue

However, the department said it would continue to monitor the area around the wreck very carefully for the next three years.

Shipping Minister David Jamieson said: "I recognise the importance of protecting the environmentally sensitive area where the Jambo sank last summer and that's why the government will continue to monitor the area around the wreck very carefully in the next three years.

"The report shows that a great deal of work has been done.

An MAIB report said the chief officer had fallen asleep

"However, it is important to ensure the levels of zinc and other associated metals continue to remain acceptably low and that is why the monitoring must continue."

The minister said monitoring and the dive survey showed there was no need to restart the cargo recovery.

The Environment Group included representatives of Fisheries Research Services, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Food Standards Agency (Scotland), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and local aquaculture and fisheries interests.

A spokesman for the Western Isles Council, which has criticised the clean-up operation, said: "The Comhairle welcomes the recommendation that an environmental monitoring programme for the next three years should take place.

"We will take time to properly analyse the report and we look forward to the presentation by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency when the Comhairle will have an opportunity to express its concerns at the handling of the Jambo incident."