Environment

Irish Oil Slick Caused by Russian Navy

by Geneva B | February 27, 2009 at 12:05 pm

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An oil slick that was first spotted nearly two weeks ago off Ireland's southwest coast has finally been attributed to the Russian navy after they admitted to it today. The spill has been linked to an aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, that is apparently not in the best shape.

Due to mild seas keeping the slick offshore, the slick is unlikely to pose major risks to coastal habitat although it seems unlikely an oil slick is a positive thing.

Ireland estimates it has already spent more than euro250,000 ($325,000) monitoring the slick by helicopter and screening shellfish for pollution. Its transport department has asked the Russian Federation to reimburse Ireland for at least some of that expense.

The Irish Coast Guard said the slick was moving slowly eastward about 45 miles (70 kilometers) south of theCounty Cork coastline, and was unlikely to reach shore before disintegrating, unless the wind strengthens and changes course unexpectedly.

"(The slick) is continuing to weather and significantly disperse ... and has not significantly moved over the last number of days," it said.

Considering the vessel in question was already known to have been plagued by technical problems since 1995, why would the Russian Navy and other responsible parties feel it was fit for the high seas?