Anti-pollution teams were on standby in Dingle, Co Kerry, for the second day yesterday. They were acting amid concern for the natural environment of the area as the fishing vessel the Celestial Dawn remained on rocks at the harbour mouth with full tanks of fuel on board.
The 85-ft Irish-registered and Spanish-crewed fishing vessel had gone onto the rocks under the lighthouse at around 7.15 p.m on its way out to sea on Saturday.
Inspectors from the Department of the Marine Survey Office along with interpreters interviewed the Spanish captain and crew yesterday.
Force-seven winds were blowing and 14-foot swells were recorded when the boat left. It has not been established if adverse weather conditions were the cause of the vessel going onto rocks under the lighthouse.
The danger of 39,000 litres of diesel oil escaping from the ship's tanks was being assessed from helicopter and by inspectors from the Department of the Marine Survey office, and the county council. Divers, insurance people and salvage people were also on standby.
The slick of diesel which appeared on Sunday had receded yesterday and the tanks were still sound, according to Cmmdr Brian Farrell, the Dingle harbour master.
The ship had not moved overnight, despite heavy storms, Cmmdr Farrell said. Booms had not been deployed but were available should the need arise, he said. Other anti-pollution gear was also available.
Some 39,000 litres of fuel could do significant damage to Dingle's tourism industry, locals said yesterday. Fungi the dolphin, who attracts an estimated half a million visitors a year to Dingle, was more active than usual in the harbour because of the activity in the clean-up operation and it is feared he could be harmed by pollution.
There was concern too for the Dingle Ocean World sea aquarium, which attracts 100,000 visitors a year. It draws its seawater directly from the harbour for its tanks. "The diesel is a big concern for us," a spokesman for the aquarium said yesterday. The possibility of bringing seawater by tank was dismissed as millions of gallons are needed each day.
There were mounting fears, too, for native species such as cormorants, otters, ducks and guillemots which live in the mouth of the harbour along with rich shoals of native fish. Dingle Ocean World is ready to receive any affected animals or birds.
Mr Tony Bass, spokesman for the Department of the Marine, said weather had prevented engineers from getting on board the vessel to pump out the diesel.
Amid mounting criticism of why a fishing vessel should head out in rising swells, during bad weather, Mr Bass said there was nothing to prevent a well-equipped vessel heading out at any time.