Thanet council is carrying out inspections of the coastline following deposits of oil being found in the water between Viking Bay in Broadstairs and the Western Undercliff in Ramsgate yesterday (March 10).
The deposits, which were cleared by the council’s Coastal team, were discovered after reports of sightings of oil along the coastline in the Dover district between Kingsdown and Sandwich/Stour Estuary.
Inspections resumed again at low tide today.
The oil has affected marine life with medics from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) being called out.
BDMLR medic Sheila Stone said: “Medics collected two oiled Razorbill birds reported by members of the public and an RSPCA volunteer, who is also a medic, transported them to Mallydams.
“We also picked up a Guillemot from Joss Bay on Friday and an RSPCA volunteer transported it to Mallydams. They are seeing quite a few around the coast. We had a call-out to a beaver and a dead one has just been found at Deal covered in oil along with a cormorant.
“We have received notification from Marine Management Org, that they have received a report from Cefas regarding the oil pollution along our Kent coast. A deceased oil covered cormorant and deceased oil covered beaver have been found on the beach in Deal.
“The current source of the oil is undetermined but it appears to be making its way towards South Foreland.”
Thanet council says: “The council is working with Kent County Council, Dover District Council, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Environment Agency.
“Although the deposits found in Thanet are very small, members of the public are advised to stay away from any deposits of oil and to report any sightings to the council on 01843 577000.
“Dog owners are asked to keep their dogs on a lead at all times when on the beaches in this location.”
A HM Coastguard spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard has received reports of small amounts of oil in locations on the coastline between Kingsdown and Sandwich Bay, Kent.
“The first report was made at about 1.50pm on 8 March. The area has been surveyed by HM Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft as well as Coastguard Rescue Teams from Deal, Langdon Battery and Margate. HM Coastguard is responding with partner agencies and local authorities.”
UPDATE:
Small deposits of oil were found, and cleared again on March 11 by the council’s Coastal team at bays between Viking Bay in Broadstairs and the Western Undercliff in Ramsgate.
Inspections are continuing and signs are being put in place at the affected bays to alert members of the public.
