Recent Incidents

 

Oil on Beaches - Hill Head to Solent Breezes

Beaches now reopened - Wednesday 23rd June 2010 - 1pm

A release of oil into Southampton Water from the Esso Fawley Refinery Marine Terminal occurred at 9.20 pm on Sunday 20 June when there was a leak from a pipeline whilst a ship was being unloaded. The offloading was immediately stopped and the pipeline valve closed.  The amount of oil released is estimated at 20 barrels.

An incident management centre was set up headed by the Harbour Master in line with the Associated British Ports Southampton Oil Spill contingency plan and included representatives from Esso, the Environment Agency, Natural England and Fareham Borough Council.  The primary aim of the contingency plan is to help mitigate the effects of the accidental discharge of oil into Southampton Water.

Particular attention is being paid to protecting environmentally sensitive sites in Southampton Water and the Solent including the saltmarshes and Titchfield Haven.

The following map illustrates the closure of beaches within the borough of Fareham boundary.

• Beach Closure (457 Kb)

A Statement of Information from Esso (28 Kb) is available.

If members of the public wish to report further incidents of oil, please contact Fawley Refinery Community Affairs on 023 8089 2511 or the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 807 060.