Salvage workers have begun evacuating the Flinterstar, the cargo ship that ran aground Tuesday off the Belgian coast after a collision.
The past two days, the Dutch company Smit and Multraship surpassed already preparing for work. So, we looked through culverts or there are no leaks in the hull. Also, additional anchors are placed to prevent the ship from the sandbar slides on which it rests.
Heat
How long will the pumping of the oil is not known. The Belgian State Secretary for the North Sea Tommelein says they will be busy for at least five days, but the work may take two weeks.
The Flinterstar had 427 tonnes of heavy diesel oil and 125 tonnes of light diesel oil on board. Because the oil must first be heated, pumping is a tough job. It is not known how much oil has drained into the sea.
The Belgian coast guard ship constant watch and the water surrounding it declared out of bounds.
Cost
Because the Dutch owner has made an official from the irreparably damaged ship, the Belgian government is in charge of the work. Belgium has not yet decided which company will carry out the final disposal if the oil is pumped out.
It is also not yet clear who will bear the cost of the operation. Both shipowners who were involved in the collision must deposit money into a fund. But, says Tommelein, "the recovery is a legal story. It will cost us money anyway."
NOS.nl/ © Reuters
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