The BBC has heard that a ship discharged approximately 300 tonnes of potentially hazardous cargo into the North Sea.
The MV Ruby carried out the operation off the coast of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, after concerns that the ammonium nitrate fertiliser had been polluted with fuel oil.
The dumping has sparked outrage among environmentalists and local businesses.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said that “hydrocarbons and seawater” were discovered on the bags containing the item.
According to the organization, the bags were most likely damaged when the ship ran aground many weeks ago.
It further stated that the substance was discharged into UK territorial seas at a site with the “lowest environmental impacts.”
According to a spokeswoman, the impacted load was in the front-most of the ship’s four holds.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), mixing ammonium nitrate with gasoline oil is often employed as an explosive.
In July, the ship left Kandalaksha, located in northern Russia.
‘Safely discharged’
The Malta-registered ship had already been turned away from many European countries’ territorial seas.
It was previously anchored around 11 miles (17 kilometers) off the coast of Margate, Kent, awaiting repairs to its hull and propeller, which had been damaged in bad weather.
Following Saturday’s dumping operation, it is currently transferring the remainder of its cargo to another ship at the Great Yarmouth ports.
Its return to the port drew criticism from local council leaders, but the government claimed that the proper procedures were followed.
When asked by the BBC whether the potentially contaminated fertiliser posed an additional danger of explosion or fire, the HSE responded yes.
“Contamination of ammonium nitrate is generally expected to increase the likelihood of an explosion if that ammonium nitrate is subject to a severe fire and/or an intense shock” according to the report.
The Department for Transport (DfT) stated that the cargo was safely unloaded into the sea, a decision made by the ship’s master for safety reasons.
A spokesman stated, “The port and ship operator conducted an operation on the advise of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Health and Safety Executive, and environmental regulators.
“All are content that the MV Ruby and its cargo meet safety standards.”
‘Herring season’
According to Ben Garrod, Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the University of East Anglia, the dumping would have a “devastating impact on local maritime species”.
“I see this a massive loss to our local community because we’re dumping pollution into our local environment,” he told me.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency stated that the material will evaporate, but Professor Garrod responded, “Yes, everything dissipates eventually, but not without significant damage to our local environment.”
According to Paul Williams, a Great Yarmouth-based fisherman and restaurant owner, this happened “at the worst of times”.
“We are right in the middle of the herring season, when all the herring come down here to spawn,” he explained, adding that other marine life feeds on the fish.
He rejected the government’s promises that the substance was securely disposed.
“It’s all part of the ecosystem,” he explained.
“This should not be occurring. “It’s awful.”
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