Cork County Council completed the removal of oil and other contaminants from the MV Alta ‘ghost ship’, which was washed ashore in the middle of February in Ballycotton, Co. Cork, Ireland.
The Council reported that 62 full barrels and 33 empty barrels were airlifted by helicopter from the area of the wrecked vessel to a prepared drop-off area where they were subsequently transferred onto a vehicle and removed by an environmental agent.
In addition, to protect the area and the marine environment, they placed oil absorbent pads and booms at some locations on board where there could be residual seepage from pipe systems that have been drained.
The Council stated that
The waste oil will be disposed of by a licensed contractor and the council has been advised that most of it may be disposed of by recycling for use in bituminous roadmaking materials.
Also, they are shutting down the wreck with the removal of the pilot ladder and any other access arrangements to render the wreck inaccessible. The wreck is now essentially empty, having had no cargo, and with any significant documentation and equipment removed.
Overall, the Tanzanian-flagged vessel became disabled while sailing from Greece to Haiti and its crewmembers departed, unable to make repairs. Consequently, the ship was left to drift in the sea.
