Coastguard keep watch for oil pollution threat

Satellite imaging and aerial surveillance will be used by the Irish Coastguard to track discharges from the sunken oil tanker Prestige.

But marine emergency services were optimistic the disaster will not threaten the Irish coast.

Responsibility in providing an emergency response to maritime casualty accidents within Irish territorial waters lies with the Irish Coastguard.

Tougher national and EU laws within the past three years strengthened the powers of the emergency services to deal with pollution-threatening incidents within 200 miles of the Irish coast.

The legislation, introduced by former Marine Minister Michael Woods, also provided for increased levels of compensation of almost €250m and maximum fines of €13m for non-compliance of the regulations.