Cargo Ship Runs Aground Off Welsh Coast, Fuel Leak Concerns Rising

Update: Oil has leaked from the disabled cargo ship, the MV Carrier, now leading to the concerns for wildlife in the area. BBC News reports that there are three holes on the MV Carrier's starboard, but high winds and rough sea are expected to help break up light diesel that leaked overnight.

Predictions have the salvage operation taking about three weeks.

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A cargo ship has run aground off the northern coast of Wales. Seven Polish crewmembers were rescued, but concerns that the vessel’s fuel tanks have possibly ruptured are growing.

The Carrier is an Antigua-registered 82-meter long general cargo ship that was carrying stones and 40,000 liters of fuel. The vessel encountered troubles while passing through rough seas at Llanddulas late Tuesday night. The Carrier was reportedly trying to leave the quarry jetty near Colwyn Bay, as the intense winds forced it back against the shore, reports BBC.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency released a statement confirming the strong wind gales, as well as a 5-meter swell. The entire crew is safe and uninjured; they were transported off the ship via two Royal Air Force rescue helicopters.

The Carrier is currently propped against concrete blocks on the beach in one piece, with a salvage team and counter-pollution experts on the scene, according to AFP. The vessel will be refloated and any hull damage will be examined. Reports from the site describe a strong scent of fuel, making the teams assume that the fuel tanks may in some way be ruptured.