Surfers Against Sewage are disappointed at the decision to leave the RMS Mulheim in its resting place off Lands End. Since the vessel ran aground the surfers, have been calling for it to be salvaged and removed from the area.

The decision to leave the vessel to the mercy of the elements has, according to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency been made on environmental and safety grounds. It would appear that all those who joined SAS in calling for the vessel to be removed - including Penwith District Council, the National Trust and the Duchy of Cornwall, have resigned themselves to the fact that the Mulheim will remain in situ.

Vicky Garner, SAS:

"Perhaps if salvage operations to remove the cargo had been carried out more effectively, efforts to remove the vessel could have started earlier and we would not be in this predicament. However, if the decision to leave the Mulheim in situ has truly been made on environmental grounds then we too will accept the decision".

"It's vital that a positive comes out of this negative situation. There are questions to be asked both about how the vessel ran aground and about the adequacy of the salvage operation so far. It's important we learn from the mistakes that have been made. SAS are calling for the coastline of the South West to receive special protection status and will be meeting with MP's to press for urgent action".

Approximately 600 tonnes of the original 2,200 still remain on board the vessel. Much of the cargo of car waste was washed into the sea and will now be lying on the seabed and trapped in rock gullies. SAS are waiting to hear how this problem will be tackled.

The Environment Agency carried out tests on the cargo but as yet do not appear to have released the results publicly.

For further information call Vicky or Richard on 0845 458 3001

The Story so far...

"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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