SNOW STARS

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Snow Star caused oil spill

On Oct 19, 2011, the "Snow Star" spilt large amounts of heavy oil in the port of Gävle and the Gävle Bight. The spill may have caused major damage in the marine environment and was the largest spill in the harbor for many years. The loss was estimated to be five to seven cubic meters. The Rescue Service has drained most of the heavy fuel now and the situation was under control. Small oil spill were found on Oct 20 around Heros Ground in the Ytter Bay. The "Snow Star" had called at the port of Gävle in the early morning of Oct 14 to unload ore concentrates. On Oct 19 morning the Coast Guard discovered an oil spill in the Falkenberg's port. The "Snow Star" was suspected to have caused it but could leave the port before the Coast Guard was on scene. The vessel was later located underway to Gävle, where the captain himself announced that he discovered an oil spill. A Coast Guard flight had already noticed an oil accumulation in the fairway towards the port of Gävle and was about to board the "Snow Star". Quite a lot of oil was discovered in a valve. In addition to the Coast Guard also the police was on scene. A preliminary investigation was initiated and the case forwarded to the Environmental Prosecutor in Gothenburg. In Gavle the Coast Guard continued investigations including taken samples in the Gävle Bight. Swedish report with photo: http://gd.se/nyheter/gavle/1.4026136-fartyg-lacker-olja-i-hamnen