Fuel company Texaco Limited and a local fisherman were fined by Alnwick Magistrates? Court on Monday 3 April, for a spill of diesel at Boulmer Village.

Texaco Limited was ordered to pay a ?2,000 fine and ?783 costs. Ian McQueen, 59, of Boulmer Village, Northumberland, was also fined ?120 and ?500 costs.

The court heard that Texaco Limited delivered diesel to fisherman McQueen, with no previous problem, but on May 17, 2005 an Environment Agency officer met a tanker driver at Boulmer Village where a spill of diesel had taken place from the filling of a mobile bowser, used to fill boats. A number of litres had been delivered before the fuel tank became unbalanced and tipped up.

Texaco Limited was told of the spill and sent out contractors to start a clear up.

Officers were concerned that the spill was discharging onto nearby Boulmer beach ? classed as a site of Special Scientific Interest. The spill contaminated water, ground and rock pools, causing a pollution incident that visibly affected wildlife.

Environment Agency lead investigating officer Ross Lowrie said: ?This was an unfortunate incident that was totally avoidable. The Northumberland coastline is one of the region?s best assets and all businesses have a duty to protect it, from the fisherman to the multinational oil supplier.

?Fortunately the spill was dealt with properly and there has been no long-term impact on this ecologically-important coastline, but lessons should be learnt. The law states that new oil storage containers must have secondary containment in case of a spill and we advise that they are sited in a secure place so accidents like this don't happen.?

In mitigation it was said that McQueen did not know how the spill had happened. He was sorry the incident had happened. He would ensure that his tank was sited in a more appropriate place when it came to be filled in future.

Author:
 Alexandra Wales
 
Date published:
 5-Apr-2006
 
Keywords:
 pollution
 
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/1343338