St Helena : St Helena RFA Darkdale Survey Team Arriving on Sunday
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Public Relations Information Office) 28.04.2012 (Article Archived on 12.05.2012)
Following the identification of continuing oil seepage from the hull of the RFA Darkdale wreck last year, a team of nine will be arriving this Sunday to undertake a survey of the wreck.
RFA Darkdale Survey Team Arriving on Sunday
Following the identification of continuing oil seepage from the hull of the RFA Darkdale wreck last year, a team of nine will be arriving this Sunday to undertake a survey of the wreck.
The team comprises six personnel from the Ministry of Defence, including members from the Marine Salvage Units at Devonport and Greennock, along with three personnel from the Environmental Science Consultancy.
During their two week visit the team will be conducting a survey of the wreck using remotely operated equipment, as well as undertaking a survey of James’ Bay for potential munitions. An environmental impact assessment of the long term slow leakage of oil and an estimate of what damage could be caused by a larger leak will also be undertaken.
The survey will determine whether any further work might be required regarding the impact of the oil leak on marine life, and the potential for further pollution. No oil will be removed from the wreck for the purpose of the surveys.
The team will depart the Island o
n 14th May 2012.
Historical Note for Editors
RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tanker Darkdale became the first British ship sunk south of the Equator during World War II when U-Boat -68 slammed four torpedoes into her side as she lay at anchor off Jamestown in the early hours of 22 October 1941.
Now oil is gradually seeping from the hull into the 40-metre deep waters of James Bay and the survey will decide what, if any, action is needed to prevent the Darkdale becoming an environmental hazard.
Matt Skelhorn, the team's wreck research analyst, said:
“Darkdale had been in St Helena for some weeks and refuelled some pretty large warships. There was no anticipation of a submarine attack on her.
“She blew up, broke in half and sank. The bow section turned turtle and the stern section is on its side. We don't know how much oil is on board and until we start doing an in-depth survey of her we cannot be certain.
“There was a big explosion and she was set on fire before she sank, so a lot of that oil could have gone anyway. We know she's been leaking small quantities periodically ever since.”
Forty one of Darkdale’s crew went down with the ship and the team plans a wreath-laying ceremony.
Public Relations Office
The Secretariat
25th April 2012
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