West Cork Oil Spill - Slick Movement

Slick Movement

Late on 17 February 2009, the estimated amount of oil was revised downwards to 522 tonnes and it was 63 kilometres (39 mi) off the Irish coast. The slick had broken into three streams and was moving eastwards along Ireland's south coast, at a distance of around 48–64 km (30-40 mi) offshore. On 18 February changing wind patterns and unexpected mild weather had pushed the oil slick, which had not moved significantly since the evening before, further from shore. The Irish Coast Guard ran computer simulations of the spill and expected some oil to dissolve or evaporate. Depending on weather conditions, the spill could have washed up onto the Irish south-east coast in late February and may hit Wales shortly after. On 20 February, however, the spill was reported to be moving very slowly eastwards and the Irish Coast Guard said that it was possible that the slick may avoid the Irish coast completely, owing to favourable winds. By 23 February the spill was moving eastwards at just five nautical miles per day and was 50 kilometres (31 mi) south of Cork harbour and continuing to disperse. As of 25 February the slick is expected to move northwards and away from the Irish coastline whilst continuing to disperse and break up. The Coast Guard no longer expects the slick to make landfall before disintegrating unless wind direction and speed change unexpectedly.