The transfer of fuel from the Panamanian-registered tanker, Princess Eva, which has been detained under EU Port State control provisions off the Donegal coast begun today.
The Princess Evaposes no pollution threat but has three hairline cracks in its deck. Two officers on the ship were killed in a violent storm some 140 miles off the Mayo coast two weeks ago. A third officer is still in hospital after the accident
A portion of the more than 55,000 tonnes of gas oil on board the Princess Evawill be transferred to the Swedish-registered Bro Jupiterwhich is now along side in Inver Bay.
A second vessel, the Princess Piahas arrived close to the bay and will take off the remaining gas oil this evening, weather permitting.
The ship is a single-hull tanker. Such vessels are due to be outlawed by the EU in 2015, if not sooner, under revised plans from the EU Transport Commissioner.