Stricken tanker towed to safety

A STRICKEN tanker was limping from the west coast into the Shannon estuary early today.

The West Sailor was being towed from its anchorage off the Kerry coast where fire damaged the engine room on Tuesday night.

The ship had discharged a cargo of 4,200 tons of acid at the giant Aughinish Alumina plant on the Shannon Estuary after sailing from Norway.

The vessel was en route to Antwerp when the fire broke out.

Crew successfully fought the blaze and specially trained firefighters travelled from Dublin and were on standby at Kerry airport for a helicopter drop onto the vessel but were not needed.

The Maltese-registered vessel anchored about 10 miles off Brandon Head after the fire to await the arrival of a tug from Foynes.

A tug linked up with the West Sailor late last night and began towing the chemical tanker to the Shannon estuary.

A spokesman for Shannon Foynes Port Company said the tug was expected to arrive in the Shannon estuary with the West Sailor at around lunchtime today.

He said the vessel will put down anchor near Scattery Island about 15 miles west of Foynes. Inspectors will go on board this afternoon to assess the extent of the damage.

The port company spokesman said: “If the damage is minor the repairs can be carried out here in Foynes. But otherwise it may have to be towed to Cork if the repairs are more involved.”