Operation starts to empty trawler aground off St Kilda

WORK has begun to minimise the risk a stricken trawler poses to wildlife on the remote island where it ran aground.

The Spinningdale smashed into rocks off St Kilda, a World Heritage Site, on 1 February this year. Its 14 Spanish crew had to be winched to safety by a helicopter.

Marine salvage experts Mammoet Salvage will remove potentially harmful liquids, including diesel and oil, and equipment from the ship in the next few days.

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS), which owns the island, said its priority was to ensure the seabirds are protected from fuels, chemicals and equipment which could cause them harm. NTS property manager Susan Bain said: “This work will be completed before most of the bird population has returned to St Kilda, limiting the impact of the operation on breeding.”