Cargo ship wreckage is removed from Llanddulas, North Wales
The operation to remove the wreck of the cargo ship MV Carrier, which ran aground near Llanddulas, North Wales, was completed this week. It has taken contractors, PGC, less than six weeks to remove the wreck and all scrap materials from the vessel have now been removed from the site. However residual work to make the site, and immediate surrounding area, safe for public use will need completion. Speed restrictions on the A55 will remain in place and the cycle path closed until a full safety assessment is made next week, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MSA) press release said
Although there was a small release of diesel fuel at the time of the incident, tests conducted on marine life, mussels and starfish from various locations by the Environment Agency Wales have been analysed throughout the operation and have found no traces of contamination.
The vessel was carrying a cargo of limestone and had bunkers onboard of 40,000 litres of marine diesel fuel at the time of the incident. Holyhead Coastguard coordinated the rescue of the seven crewmen who were airlifted from the ship by a navy and RAF helicopter.
Although the A55 was closed when the vessel first beached, North Wales Police were able to quickly re-open it and it remained open throughout the clear-up operation.
ACC Pritchard, North Wales Police praised the excellent working relationships between the multi-agency working group set up to managing the salvage of the MV Carrier and was pleased the operation was completed ahead of schedule and with minimal impact locally. Safety remains a priority however and ACC Pritchard asked the closure of the cycle path and speed restrictions be observed until the site is fully reopened.