THE UK port of Southampton was returning to normal this morning after a propane leak during the loading of a Hong Kong-registered LPG carrier, the Ennerdale. Shipping was prevented from entering or leaving the port for several hours due to a gas cloud which eventually blew out sea. The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is launching an investigation in to the accident on the 1997-built, 4,227 gt ship in which one person received minor injuries. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) plans to send a surveyor on board this afternoon once it is safe to do so.
By mid-morning Wednesday an exclusion zone of 400 metres was in operation around the ship berthed at Esso-operated Fawley, the UK's largest oil refinery, allowing vessels to pass through the main channel up Southampton Water.
A statement said: “The Solent’s marine response plan, known as Solfire, was immediately initiated at Associated British Ports, Port of Southampton, VTS Centre, to manage the incident. The agencies involved have been continually undertaking assessments to ensure the safety of the members of the public and the refinery. As a precaution, an exclusion zone has been set up by the harbour authority and Hampshire Police to stop shipping passing the area of incident in Southampton Water. “