Congrats Cathy!

Former nurse Cathy celebrates 100th birthday

A diesel spill in Oban Bay in March left water ‘pink and stinky’ triggering a joint agency search to find its source, with investigations into that incident still ongoing.

But on April 6 another spillage was spotted and reported, writes Kathie Griffiths.

A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council said the second spill was not in the bay this time: ‘There have been no new spillages within the bay, however, we reacted to a report of contamination emanating from the Black Lynn burn.

‘Initial investigations appeared to show the source was somewhere upstream and we are working with our partners to locate this,’ she said.

Absorbent booms were put several hundred metres up the burn and were successful in containing further contaminants.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has been continuing to liaise over the spills with partner agencies and organisations, including the Coastguard and the Harbour Authority.

Oban Community Harbour Development Association (OCHDA) has welcomed all the agencies working together to find the sources of both spills.

A spokesperson for OCHDA said: ‘It’s good these agencies are on to it and are taking it seriously to find out where this fuel has come from. From an environmental point of view it’s not just a question of cleaning up the bay and Black Lynn. If someone is careless or disposing of fuel into the water they have to be found.’

Booms put in the bay to absorb contamination from the first spill have now been removed so they can be appropriately disposed off.

Anyone concerned about any potential pollution incidents can contact SEPA online at www.sepa.org.uk/report