tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post7514766866017804077..comments2024-03-13T10:32:22.656+00:00Comments on thanetonline: Hello sailor, an old sea dogs thoughts on the Margate oil bunkerMichael Childhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09499435016469020417noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-24771849383075750522010-10-10T13:59:10.958+01:002010-10-10T13:59:10.958+01:0010.30 you do appreciate that this service is in op...10.30 you do appreciate that this service is in operation now and is providing all sorts of oil including bunker grade. <br /><br />We are talking about a fairly large operation compared to your local petrol station, about a million tonnes of fuel per year I think so a turnover of about £300m.<br /><br />Obviously the financial risk here is with the insurers, but the other risks ecological and to tourism seem to fall pretty heavily on the Thanet resorts.<br /><br />One of my main interests here is what the Thanet towns get out of this operation to compensate for the risk.<br /><br />The Port of London involvement seems to be about keeping this on the absolute boundary of their area of control, no risk to London.<br /><br />My understanding of the oil spill response capability at Ramsgate, is that it is what it was before this extra risk.<br /><br />That, I think, would be some equipment stored locally, booms, chemical solvents, protective clothing etc this would - was envisaged to be used by local fishermen who had been trained to use it, in conjunction with their own fishing vessels.<br /><br />Just what you would expect to get in any costal area where there is always some risk from a fuel spill. <br /><br />I can’t find any mention of a dedicated unit or specialist vessels and frankly I don’t really know what would be normal, this is a rather tentative and enquiring post as I don’t really understand the situation properly.<br /><br />One thing is certain there is likely to a greater risk of fuel spillage at the petrol station than on an ordinary bit of road <br /><br />I would assume that the Thanet District Council, Port Ramsgate, The Port of London Authority, The Environment Agency, various marine societies and the bunker operator would all be working closely on this one, but I can’t see any evidence of it.<br /><br />Frankly I was expecting comment saying that all was well and that the council was benefiting considerably, from what after all appears to be an unnecessary risk entirely based on there being more profit to be made out of refuelling at sea than the much safer refuelling in port.Michael Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09499435016469020417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-36071297129695691452010-10-10T10:30:30.354+01:002010-10-10T10:30:30.354+01:00I think bunkering in this context is only referrin...I think bunkering in this context is only referring to fuelling and not the grade of the fuel. I can't see the problem with preheating a fuel before use though and by implication a spill with lighter grades would be better.<br /><br />The Port of London Authority is overseeing the operation and that enhanced oil spill response capability is to be based in Ramsgate. This facility would presumably be available to assist with any fuel spills or accidents which might happen around the Thanet coast. The more specialist response / service units that are based in Ramsgate the better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com