On August 2, the damaged car carrier ‘Makassar Highway’ was moored in Oskarshamn after it was towed from the Baltic Sea.
What happened?
On July 23, the vessel ran aground off Loftahammar, Sweden, causing extensive damage to the hull plates and water ingress. Before the salvage crew could reach the site and contain the oil stored in its tank, the oil started to leak.
Towed to port
The salvage crew required the assistance of an emergency tow vessel fearing the condition of the ship would worsen if it were left in place. The vessel was towed and has been moored in Oskarshamn, the responsibility has been transferred to the civil protection because the ship is in municipal responsibility now.
Measure to clean up oil spill
The Coastguard was still responsible for the oil in the water and the route to the port is being monitored and thin oil lanes with some lump formation have been sifted and the vessels were investigating whether the oil was controllable.
Seagoing oil defenders have been used extensively to absorb oil collected in coves and between islands. On land, recovery work was carried out by the rescue service in Västervik with the help of the civil protection and volunteers.
Investigation launched
A preliminary investigations of environmental crime have been initiated with the Coast Guard conducting an ongoing investigation to impose a water pollution fine on the shipping company. Moreover, the Coast Guard has also submitted a notification of environmental breach under the Environmental Code or a violation of Act (1980: 424) on ship-source pollution measures. A preliminary investigation has been initiated at the Public Prosecutor’s Office REMA.
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Source: The Swedish Coastguard
