news release
    9th October 2003

The RMS Mulheim has begun to break up after a 3-metre swell pounded the Cornish coastline at Lands End yesterday afternoon. The vessel remains in situ at Gamper Bay but has spilt in two, with the back section twisting at 90 degrees.

Small rafts of plastic car scrap could be seen in the water – the last remnants of the vessels ‘dirty’ cargo, much of which escaped to the sea earlier in the year.

Whilst it is unlikely that the wreck itself will cause as much of a problem to the regions beaches as the cargo did, it is important water users and beach goers remain vigilant.

Photo: Terry/Sennen Cove

Of greater concern to SAS is the fact that as the vessel is beginning to break up we are reminded of the fact that our coastline is still not the beneficiary of greater environmental protection. SAS has called for the treasured coastline of Cornwall and the South West to receive ‘Particularly Sensitive Sea Area’ status. By having such recognition we would be able to exclude any vessel that is deemed a risk – in terms of its age, history or cargo from our waters and thereby reduce the risk to our coastline from environmental disasters.

Richard Hardy, Campaigns Assistant for SAS says: "Until we have greater environmental protection in the South West another Mulheim or even worse a ‘Torrey Canyon’ type incident is just around the corner. It is a priority for SAS that our coastline receives this protection and we will continue to make ours and the voices of the South West heard in the corridors of Westminster this autumn".

SAS are also looking to see an urgent prosecution of the Mulheim’s owners (we are still waiting on the results of a Marine Coastguard Agency Investigation into the incident) to ensure the polluters pays principle is applied and that the Mulheim’s owners put into place new working practices. These must include the company using only highly skilled and competent crew and not to sail under ‘flags of convenience’.

For more information please contact Richard Hardy at SAS on Tel: 01872 553001 or Mob: 07817 401480.

"Mulheim continues to break up"

"CARRY ON MULHEIM"

" CONCERN OVER DECISION TO LEAVE THE MULHEIM TO BREAK UP."

"A LUCKY ESCAPE FOR THE BEACHES"

"TOXIC CARGO FAR FROM SAFE SAY SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE"

"MULHEIM UPDATE - DAY 17"

"3 WEEKS ON AND THE MULHEIM CONTINUES TO PUT ENVIRONMENT AT RISK."

"SAS express disappointment at decision to leave Mulheim on the rocks"

"COCKTAIL OF NASTIES!"

"MULHEIM PLASTIC FOUND ON NEWQUAY'S GOLDEN SANDS"

"MULHEIMS 'DIRTY' CARGO SPREADING FAR AND WIDE"

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