Weather hampers efforts to contain Crimson Polaris oil spill
Pollution starting to come ashore along 21-mile-long stretch of Japanese coast.
Efforts to contain a 21-mile oil slick leaking from the wreck of the 49,500-dwt wood-chip carrier, Crimson Polaris, are being hampered by a series of storms affecting Japan.
The 2009-built vessel broke in two after going aground off the port of Hachinohe last week. Fuel oil from the NYK Line-chartered bulker has now been reported as far north as the city of Misawa.
Masami Iwai, president of Misuga Kaiun, the ship’s technical managers, said: “The reality is if the waves do not subside then it will be difficult to progress operations. We are gathering equipment and salvage vessels as early as possible so that, even if there is a small window in the weather, we can make progress.”
