15 Jan 2007 - Oslo, Norway – WWF volunteers swiftly deployed to the west coast of Norway to help with clean-up efforts after a Cypriot oil tanker ran aground in bad weather, spilling several hundred tonnes of oil into the North Sea.

According to the authorities, about one-third of the oil spill has already been cleaned up, but some 300 tonnes of bunker oil leaked out, with oil already reaching the coast.

“This is very sad, but luckily the ship was in ballast and had only bunker oil,” said WWF-Norway’s CEO, Rasmus Hansson. “If this was a fully loaded oil tanker it would have been a tragedy for this area.”

WWF is concerned that the about the impact of the oil spill on the local coastal environment, particularly the eider duck population and other seabirds in the area. WWF-Norway has sent a group of specially-trained volunteers to assist the Norwegian coast guard with the clean-up efforts,

Since 2005, WWF-Norway has been training volunteers in oil spill clean-up techniques. The programme offers a professional, practical and cost-free training course, giving the volunteers a broad insight into oil-spill clean-up strategies, including organization, execution and general knowledge about the most common strategies for handling oil-spills in the open ocean, coastal areas and shorelines.

So far, 150 volunteers have been trained. More will be trained in an on-site emergency training session for additional volunteers if necessary.

“Cleaning the shoreline is a very time- and resource-consuming activity, and it requires competent personnel and basic safety equipment,” said Maren Esmark, head of WWF-Norway’s Marine Programme.

“There is a great need for more trained personnel that can be mobilized on short notice, and for proper equipment that can ensure safe and efficient operations in the region.”
Tor Traasdahl, Head of Communications
WWF-Norway