North Sea Shipping Incident

[Gus0898uk]

"I think we can discount this conspiricy theory. Its likley human error, either there was no one on the bridge of the Solong or as was suggested in an earlier post they were asleep. The weather was almost certainly a factor as well. "

The conspiracy theory should not totally be discounted, apparently the Captain of the Solong is a Russian National!

[EGDR]

Where's the Oil Spill Response 727,previously at Doncaster Robin Hood/Finningley,when it could be needed?

Current UK MCA contract is for two 737s with modular dispersant kits. The 727s are still around but operate for contracts worldwide.

[roger4]

Mmmm, only carrier this side of the Atlantic currently is the Truman, which is in the Red Sea. Not aware of any ARG’s anywhere near us, the Med, or the Middle East either. If that is the case, possible land storage at Souda or Syracuse for the replenishment ships to onload at a future date.

As the tanker came from the Greek port of Agioi Theodorio (according to the Marine Traffic website) it seems unlikley that its Jet A-1 cargo was intended for offloading anywhere in the Med, nor indeed anywhere south of Immingham.

[Thunder]

Agreed, just as it’s probably unlikely that the fuel on board was intended for the US Navy. Never heard of any USN replenishment ships going into Immingham, fuellers normally go into Loch Striven, unless there’s a pipeline from East to West.

[Seahornet1]

Do people remember a ship burning years ago in the English Channel and the RAF bombed it and sunk it. Could this be a solution.

Just for the record, Fleet Air Arm Buccaneers tried to ignite the oil but were unsuccessful.

I seem to remember news footage at the time showing (RAF?) Hunters being involved, as well as the FAA Buccs.

[Evergreen 44]

Yes RAF Hunters out of West Raynham, one flown by Alan Pollock, later of Tower Bridge fame
Apparently they had fuzing issues with the napalm tanks, not sure if the Navy Buccs had similar

[paddyboy]

FGA9’s, as I seem to recall

[Bob DeBilda]

Mmmm, only carrier this side of the Atlantic currently is the Truman, which is in the Red Sea. Not aware of any ARG’s anywhere near us, the Med, or the Middle East either. If that is the case, possible land storage at Souda or Syracuse for the replenishment ships to onload at a future date.

As the tanker came from the Greek port of Agioi Theodorio (according to the Marine Traffic website) it seems unlikley that its Jet A-1 cargo was intended for offloading anywhere in the Med, nor indeed anywhere south of Immingham.

Just a thought : How do Mildenhall and Lakenheath get their fuel supplies? Is there an underground pipeline from one of the East Coast ports?

[AlexLee05]

The whole of the UK covered by an aviation fuel pipeline network I believe, for commercial and military airfields

[slogen51]

That's probably confidential unless you are puktin where you probably have a map on your desk !

Are you Russian- it's difficult to tell these days

[Nighthawke]

Don't answer your door!

[Thunder]

The whole of the UK covered by an aviation fuel pipeline network I believe, for commercial and military airfields

GPSS( Government Pipeline and Storage System), now owned by and called Exolum pipeline. It’s not a network that covers the whole of the UK like the National Grid, ie: you couldn’t transfer fuel from Lossiemouth to Marham using it. It’s individual pipelines for each end user and vary in size and complexity, some bases and airports share pipelines due to their geographical locations. It’s no secret the pipelines and routes are available in the public domain

[Ghastly Whisper]

Sell it in 2012 for 82 million, then over the next 10 years pay 237 million to use said pipe line! Good economics that.

[Snoop 95]

Exolum is a Spanish company it seems> Here's a map of the pipelines:
https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/ ... 4.36/-1.44

[Thunder]

That map shows very few of the pipelines throughout the country, but interesting to see where the East Anglia bases get their fuel from.

[Nighthawke]

So much for the word "Secret" in the description box!

[gyvespa]

Off on a slight tangent.

Saw this go up the coast last Thursday morning at about 1500 feet (ish) then come back during the afternoon. Looked very impressive.
It was operating off ‘Humberside’ at low level, dispersing pollution I presume.

https://www.planespotters.net/photo/172 ... 7-2s2f-adv

Yes I know it’s not military but it is relevant to the thread.
The tanker has now been moved into the outer harbour at Great Yarmouth, it’ll take a lot T Cut to get the shine back on that one !

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg72150xvx8o

Take care everyone.