Damaged tanker en route to Belfast

Published Friday, 16 December 2011
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A vessel carrying more than 50,000 tonnes of gas oil off the north west of Ireland is making its way to Belfast after it developed cracks in its deck.

The tanker, which was en route to New York, got into difficulty 40 miles north west of Tory Island on Friday morning after leaving Rotterdam.

A crack was spotted running along the deck during inspections in Rotterdam but it was deemed safe to put to sea.

Darragh O'Malley Daly, from Malin Head Coastguard, said the 23 crew members on board the Genmar Companion were never in danger at any stage.

"This is a precautionary measure to check the vessel out."

"No structural damage was caused to the vessel's hull or any part of the tanks on the vessel."

The tanker is expected in Belfast port tonight for inspections of the hull and where repairs are to be carried out.

An Air Corps plane was sent to the scene to monitor developments and the naval vessel, the LE Niamh, is en route to the tanker.

© UTV News
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1 Comments
Michael in Irvinestown wrote (159 days ago):
Need to be careful does not leak, rounding rough Rathlin seas, or near the salmon farm off Cushendall, for example, on the way to Belfast ship repair yard.
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