Poole Harbour where the leak took place today, Sunday 26 March (Image: Getty Images)
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ByKieren WilliamsNews Reporter
18:47, 26 Mar 2023UPDATED20:22, 26 Mar 2023
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BOOKMARK
A major incident has been declared after around 200 barrels of reservoir fluid leaked into Poole Harbour, leaving a “large amount of oil” in the water.
The incident, in Dorset, took place shortly before 2pm Sunday, at a pipeline operated by Perenco, under Owers Bay, Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) said.
Members of the public have been urged not to swim in Poole Harbour or the surrounding area until further notice.
Anyone who comes into contact with the spill should wash immediately using soap and water.
PHC has put their oil spill plan in place and a number of organisations were supporting their efforts in the incident, including companies specialising in oil spill response.
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Photo taken in Puddletown, United Kingdom
The Environment Agency said there was a ‘large amount of oil’ in the water ( Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)
The commissioners were assessing the situation, they said and reports have said the affected pipeline has been shut, with booms installed on either side of the leak, The BBC said.
The Environment Agency said it had received reports of a “large amount of oil” in the harbour and Dorset Police said it was first informed of the environmental incident at 1.43pm today.
In a statement, PHC said: “Earlier today a leak occurred at a pipeline operated by Perenco under Owers Bay in Poole Harbour.
“It is estimated that approximately 200 barrels of reservoir fluid has been released into the water column in Poole Harbour.
“The pipeline has been shut down and booms have been placed on either side of the leak. An assessment is currently being carried out.
“Perenco have mobilised Oil Spill Response Ltd and Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) have mobilised Adler and Allen to assist with this incident. These companies are specialists in oil spill response incidents.
“PHC have activated their oil spill plan and are working with a number of organisations. A major incident has now been declared and a gold command unit has been established.
“We would advise members of the public that they should not swim in Poole Harbour or the surrounding area until further notice.
“Anyone who has come into contact with the spill should wash immediately with soap and water. If eyes have come into contact with the spill, they should be rinsed with water.
“A further update will be provided in due course.”
A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “We were called at 1.43pm on Sunday 26 March 2023 by Poole Harbour Commissioners informing the Force of an oil leak in Poole Harbour.
“The incident is being led by Poole Harbour Commissioners and at this time there is no requirement for police attendance. We will continue to liaise with our partner agencies and offer support if required.”
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council said: “We’re supporting Poole Harbour Commissioners and other agencies to respond to this incident.”
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We have received reports of a large amount of oil in Poole Harbour and we are supporting the port authority and other partners in responding to this incident.”
Perenco UK’s incident management team was activated immediately to the leak and Franck Dy, Perenco UK’s Wytch Farm General Manager, said: “Any spill is an extremely serious matter and a full investigation will be launched to ascertain what happened in Poole Harbour. It is important to stress that the situation is under control, with the discharge of fluids having been stopped and the spill is being contained.”
