Sunk boat stink ‘was toxic’

Asunken fish farm feed barge off Skye that gave off a stink was leaking a potentially explosive mix of toxic chemicals, an activist has found.

In August a smell of rotten eggs around the harbour was attributed to the sunken vessel’s cargo of putrefying fish feed.

Don Staniford, who campaigns against fish farms, has published papers from consultants and government bodies including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Coastguard that have revealed the vessel, operated by Bakkafrost, was giving off “significant levels” of hydrogen sulphide at potentially flammable levels.

The police and council established an exclusion zone around the site of the barge and installed monitors to warn if levels became hazardous.

The zone did not reach land but a warning was issued to mariners.

Bakkafrost Scotland, called Scottish Salmon Company until it was acquired by Faroe Islandsbased Bakkafrost in 2020, said removal of the barge could start this week, weather depending, nearly a year after it sank.

A firm spokesman said: “Bakkafrost Scotland can confirm the successful and safe completion of the initial recovery stage of venting gas from the submerged feeding barge at the Portree farm site damaged in Storm Arwen in November 2021.

“Throughout the recovery process we have been working closely with the relevant authorities including Sepa, Maritime and Coastguard Agency and fire brigade, alongside other experts, and we are now progressing to the next stage of the operation which will include lifting the barge.

“The relevant authorities are being kept informed of progress and we will work with the recovery experts to ensure a safe conclusion to the operation. Bakkafrost Scotland is fully committed to ensuring public safety in relation to all of its operations, vessels and equipment.”

A Highland Council spokesman said: “A build-up of gas as a result of the decomposition of fish feed was detected on the sunken barge in August 2022.”

One company that will not be involved is Briggs Marine, the Burntisland contractor was involved with salvaging the wreck this summer but is in dispute with the fish farming company.

A spokeswoman said: “Briggs Marine was awarded a contract by Bakkafrost Scotland to salvage the sunken feed barge and its cargo.

“Following a payment dispute with Bakkafrost, Briggs have demobilised from the site and legal proceedings have commenced.”

DEEP TROUBLE: The barge wreckage off Portree Harbour gave off a smell of rotten eggs. Picture by Sandy McCook.