Russian Warship Blamed for Oil Spill

Approximately 1000-tons of oil spill heading towards the Irish coast.

The Irish Marine Department has requested assistance from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The Irish said the spill appears to be covering 22 square miles and could have as much as 1000-tons of oil in the slick.

The Russians admit that the aircraft carrier, ADMIRIAL KUZNETSOV, was being refueled by a Russian supply tanker in the Celtic Sea between Britain and the coast of Ireland. The Russians intend to carry out its own investigation, but also maintain that no more than 300 tons could be in the water.

The slick is floating towards the Irish coast at around 12 miles a day, and is just 39 miles off the coast. Satellite pictures first picked up the spill on Saturday morning. Authorities say some of the oil will break up or evaporate, but most is expected to hit the coastline.

EMSA is using its “CleanSeaNet European” satellite oil slick detection service to monitor the slick. The agency also has 11 emergency response vessels along the coastline.

The spill is the largest to hit the British Isles since the SEA EMPRESS ran aground in 1996 near Milford Haven.