A salvage operation is tonight under way after a cargo vessel carrying hazardous chemicals ran aground on rocks off the west coast of Scotland.
Coastguards said that diesel has spilled near the Island of Mull but none of the 180 tonnes of oil on board had leaked into the water. The 3,718 tonne Lys Fosswas en route from Sweden to Belfast when it grounded just after 5.30a.m.
Six of the eight man crew were evacuated but the master and one other stayed on board the Swedish-registered vessel as it was drained.
However all eight members are now back on board to assist with the salvage operation.
No one was hurt in the incident, which caused most damage to the hull when the vessel hit the rocks.
Tobermory Lifeboat later placed a boom around the vessel to contain any leakage of diesel, which has caused a light sheen in the water.
A spokesman for Clyde Coastguard, who coordinated the operation, said: "The only actual pollution is a slight seepage of diesel fuel and we will try to contain it as much as possible.
"A tug will attend the site tomorrow and take the fuel off the ship and look at the prospect of re-floating it.
He said the environmental impact was "minimal at the moment", with calm weather preventing the situation from deteriorating.
A spokesman for Northern Constabulary said steps have been taken to protect fish farms in the area.
PA