Cargo Vessel Grounded on Scottish Coast Towed Today
The towing of the DFDS cargo vessel Lysblink Seaways began today at 1:00pm local time, the UK's Maritime Coast Guard Agency announced. The vessel ran aground at Ardnamurchan Point in northwest Scotland almost two weeks ago, and was moved to Scallastle Bay in the sound of Mull last Wednesday, the Aberdeen Press and Journal reported. A passage plan has been agreed to by Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State’s representative, and covers the 150 nautical mile tow to Inchgreen, Greenock on the Firth of Clyde. “The tow will, where possible, take advantage of sheltered waters and will move through the Sound of Mull, Firth of Lorn, Sound of Jura and the North Channel before entering the Firth of Clyde," Shaw said.
Offshore Gas Leak – Union Calls for Evacuation of More Platforms
High pressure gas leak from North Sea oil rig off coast of Scotland – union expresses safety concerns about gas cloud Oil and gas union leaders have called for all platforms within a five-mile radius to be evacuated after fears the gas cloud may be travelling in their direction, according to a report in Scottish local newspaper 'The Press and Journal' As a direct result of the risk the gas leak poses to its staff on nearby platforms, Shell has also suspended production on the Shearwater and Noble Hans Deul drilling rig. Unite union regional officer for offshore workers, Wullie Wallace, said other platforms should follow suit for a greater focus on health and safety offshore.
North Sea Could Save Scotland’s Economy
According to a Nov. 6 report from The Press and Journal, Scottish businessman, Sir Ian Wood, said the North Sea oil and gas industry could be the saviour of the UK economy and haul the country out of its massive debt. Sir Ian, chairman of Aberdeen-based global energy service business Wood Group, told an awards dinner held by industry body Oil & Gas UK that government policies needed to focus less on maximizing income and more on getting to the nearly $1,328.6b worth of oil and gas that remains untouched under the sea. (Source: The Press and Journal)
