Dear Editor,
One of our beloved kingfisher’s drowned in an oil spill from a capsized canal dredger in The Ocean Nature Reserve area of the Stonehouse Canal.
The original spill was reported to the environment agency by a member of the public early last month, and The Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) were also notified on this date.
It has been confirmed that the CCT are responsible for the spillage and for the clean-up, and they acknowledged this publicly last month.
Despite this, over the last few weeks the dredger has remained capsized, and the spillage has remained uncleared. I walk this path daily and I can personally confirm that while some absorbent cloths and floats were put on the surface when the boat initially capsized, these weren’t even enough to fully absorb the initial spillage, and it has remained in this state since.
Further oil has leaked into the canal since this date as the dredger remained submerged, and even more has surfaced in the last 24 hours. This has resulted in the pool of oil seen in the photographs that I have shared with you and with local groups. These photos were taken this morning immediately after the kingfisher dived into this oil next to the sunken dredger. It was unable to get out once covered. We were unable to rescue it in time, and it drowned as we attempted to reach it.
This kingfisher was one of a pair known to live in this nature reserve. Its mate was calling out from the hedge next to the site as this happened. Because this spillage has been left uncleared, we now no longer have a pair at The Ocean, but its mate still remains, along with our herons, breeding swans, egrets, terrapin, otters, and innumerable other wildlife.
We cannot save the kingfisher that died, but please can you help us ensure that immediate action is taken to get this sunken dredger and the spillage removed?
I understand the task is not an easy one, and The Cotswold Canals Trust have struggled to identify how to actually remove the boat. Is there anyone with equipment locally who may be able to help them move or remove the dredger, or anyone who is able to help ensure the site is properly cleaned before other wildlife is affected?
Rozy
Stonehouse
Statement from The Cotswold Canals Trust
The Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) is aware of the public’s concern regarding the impact on the wildlife and environment following the sinking of a vessel under the Ocean Jubilee Rail bridge in December.
All interested parties responsible for maintaining and protecting our well-loved canal have been involved in safely managing this incident with the valuable assistance of other local agencies including Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Stroud Valleys Canal Company and Cotswold Canals Connected.
The vessel is in a difficult position, under an active railway bridge. Initial contact with Network Rail and the Fire Service showed that they were unable to help with the recovery of the vessel. CCT volunteers are now working with the Stroud Valleys Canal Company, who own the vessel, and their insurance company, on a recovery plan. An independent investigation will be carried out by The Canal and River Trust into how the vessel sank and mitigation practices for the future.
At the time of the incident, the Environment Agency was alerted and environmental protection company, Sanctus was engaged to assist with the containment of any oil spillage. This was achieved using booms and mopped up with professional spillage kits. Cotswold Canals Trust has taken advice from the Environment Agency since the incident and has instigated ongoing measures to mitigate further environmental impact. Volunteers and specialists have regularly reviewed and checked the vessel since the incident and can confirm the fuel and hydraulic oil systems appear to remain sealed.
From December 7th (incident date) to December 24th daily inspections showed no visible evidence of oil on the spillage mats used or on the canal on either side of the protective boom barrier thus preventing spread beyond the immediate area.
We believe the very recent heavy rain, snow melt and flooding has acted to disturb a small quantity of spilt oil possibly held in the vessel’s sump such that it was released around the sunken vessel in the past day or two.
Volunteers continue to keep The Ocean site under careful inspection, and they again today have conducted a further clean up with new mats. Current booms will remain in place to contain any further unlikely spillage over the next week for added protection. We are also taking advice from local wildlife agencies regarding the possible installation of to implement a protective covering over the area to provide additional shielding, this needs to be the most effective option to reduce any further fatalities.
The development of a detailed recovery plan is in progress to enable the recovery of the vessel in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner as soon as possible. CCT will be actively sharing these plans with the wider Stroud and Gloucestershire community as the progress of the recovery and final clean up proceeds.
We really appreciate your patience and ongoing support of the Cotswold Canal Trust, if you have any further questions or concerns please do contact us on: mail@cotswoldcanals.org or the Stroud Valleys Canal Company on admin@stroudvalleyscanal.org.