Update on MV Kaami vessel aground off Duntulm, Skye

The Highland Council's Emergency Planning team are aware of the grounding of a cargo vessel in the Minch.

MV Kaami vessel ran aground six nautical miles north west off Duntulm on Skye on Monday and remains on the rocks. The SOSREP (Secretary of State’s Representative) has been informed and is advising on the response, which is being led by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Salvage experts are to inspect the vessel. Given current sea conditions in the Minch, any hydrocarbons are likely to disperse and break up long before reaching the shore.

The MV Kaami is carrying a cargo of Pelletised Refuse-derived Fuel’.

There are hopes that once the weather subsides, it’ll be possible to boom around the vessel to capture and recover any pollution. This operation will be managed by the MCA using the national stockpile of counter pollution equipment. The MCA is responsible for ‘at-sea’ response, however it is the Local Authorities’ role is to manage any shoreline response, should it be necessary.

The Highland Council is monitoring the situation and preparing for a shoreline response if this is necessary in the coming days.