The ESG received a report of a significant oil slick appearing on Thursday 30th March alongside West View Playground. The incident took place at approximately 4.00pm and produced very strong and nauseous fuel smells affecting the entire park area where children were playing at the time.

Unfortunately, this report did not reach the ESG within office hours otherwise a report would have been made to the Port Department so that the appropriate action could be taken. The ESG was informed that the slick, which covered an extensive area, remained static for close to two hours after which a change of tide began to move it away.

The Port Department needs to explain how this could have occurred and who was responsible for this spillage. The area habitually swept by fugitive gases from fuel transfers does not now need further pollution from oil spills.