Specialist contractor to tackle oil spills following Carrick fire
A slick of oil on top of the water with one of the cruisers seen below the surface. Pic: Gerry Faughnan
A specialist contractor is due to arrive in Carrick-on-Shannon early next week to deal with the oil spills and deposits left in the Shannon following the sinking of two cruisers as a result of a fire at the jetty earlier this week.
The blaze broke out on the vessels last Tuesday night with reports made to the emergency services at 9.25 p.m. with the fire service arriving on site by 9.30 p.m..
One local who reported the fire said he did not remain on site for fear of explosions due to the gas tanks and fuel which would have been on board the vessels.
The large blaze completely engulfed both cruisers and the fire service battled to contain it and make sure it didn’t spread to nearby vessels. By midnight the fire was under control. Both boats sunk as a result of the damage.
Fortunately there were no injuries reported and it is understood there was no one on board either vessel at the time.
The scene was later preserved for a technical examination. Gardai stated that enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.
It will now be up to the owners of the cruisers to ensure that both vessels are removed safely from the site.
In a statement today to the Roscommon Herald Leitrim County Council said, “We are managing the oil spill that has arisen at the marina in Carrick-on-Shannon as a result of the recent fire on cruiser boats. Booms are in place to contain the oil spill and a specialist contractor will be on site early next week to remove the oil spill and deposits. The boardwalk at the location has been closed until such time as the clean-up is complete and we ask for the co-operation of the public in avoiding this area. “
