What impact - if any - will discharge of 'contaminated' chemical have on welfare of wildlife off Norfolk Coast?

At risk from contaminated chemical dumped in North Sea? A Great Northern Diver 

CONSERVATION groups have so far been silent on the dumping off the Norfolk Coast of a potentially harmful chemical.

The 20,000-tonne load of ammonium nitrate was reportedly en route from Kandalaksha in Russia to an unnamed African country when its carrier, the merchant ship, Ruby, sustained damage to propellor, rudder and hull.

Because some of the cargo was deemed to be 'contaminated', the vessel was turned away from potential repair havens on the coasts of Norway and Lithuania.

But, in Britain, Peel Ports agreed to allow temporary refuge  in Great Yarmouth's outer harbour  on October 28.

Thereafter, Ruby sailed out beyond 12 miles to international waters where, it has been claimed, much of the cargo was discharged into the North Sea.

Ammonium nitrate is commonly used a fertiliser on farmland, but its presence in the sea risks causing  harm to marine life at both ends of the food chain and all points in between.

At this time of year, the East Coast is home to hundreds of thousands of divers, grebes, waterfowl and shorebirds whose welfare may  have been put at risk.

No details have been released about the nature and extent of the 'contamination' of the chemical. 

The episode has prompted an  angry response from both Great Yarmouth Council and Norfolk County Council, neither of which believed the Ruby should have been allowed access to a British port.

But Peel Ports insist their staff are well qualified to handle hazardous materials, and their actions were  approved by both the Health and Safety Executive and the Department of Transport.

According to the DoT, ammonium nitrate is not a "persistent chemical"  and, in the sea,  will dissipate with no lasting impact.

It is understood the remainder of the cargo is this weekend being transferred to another vessel before being conveyed to its intended destination in Africa.

                                                                                       

Great Yamouth outer harbour - where the stricken ship is currently berthed (photo: Environment Agency via Wikimedia Commons) 

The Wryneck says: It is mystifying  that there has been not so much as a hint of concern about this episode from organisations such as Natural England, Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the RSPB. How can they stay silent when 'contaminated' chemicals are apparently discharged into such precious marine habitat? There are globally applicable  rules about 'distressed' cargoes and what can legally be dumped at sea. If they are not already doing so, the international maritime authorities should also investigate without delay.