Latest news from Tristan Da Cunha Web Site (Pics of grounded v/l at
http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsoliva.php)
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Report from Administrator Sean Burns 09.00 Friday 18th March
MS Olivia broke up overnight : Grave Environmental concerns
MS Oliva broke her back in the force of a relentless swell and the wreck of the ship's superstructure is now breaking up. Flows of oil are all around Nightingale's coast. The onshore Tristan Conservation Team of Simon Glass, Wayne Swain and Matthew Green are busy assessing damage to Nightingale's seabirds. This late summer season is crucial as all adults are flying daily from their nests to catch fish, squid etc to feed their rapidly maturing chicks. The island has no land mammals and is regarded as one of the world's most important wildlife habitats. The World Heritage Sites of Inaccessible and Gough Island may also be at risk from oil pollution.
Assessment Team
MV Edinburgh will this morning take on board an emergency assessment team which will travel to Nightingale to assess the situation for themselves. We expect a report and photographs later today. The team will be led by Administrator Sean Burns with Chief islander Ian Lavarello and include Fisheries Officer James Glass, Search and Rescue Police Inspector Conrad Glass, Conservation Officer Trevor Glass.
Salvage Tug's long journey
Meanwhile the salvage tug John Ross left Cape Town on 17th March with a salvage team, a naval architect, divers and an environmental advisor and equipment to treat oiled birds aboard. The ship is not likely to arrive until Monday 21st Mar.