SS James Eagan Layne Counter Pollution Support - Quay Services

In November 2022, the wreck began to leak oil in a continuous stream and had the potential to cause environment pollution Whitsand Bay. MCA Counter Pollution and Salvage (CPS) coordinated a response and in December 2022 the wreck was successfully, albeit temporarily 'patched' using magnetic blanking plates reinforced by several hundred sandbags filled with concrete.

The matter was then referred to the Department for Transport (DfT) and was included in wider ongoing discussion on potentially polluting wrecks in the UK EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone). Recently the wreck started leaking again and a full response was stood up by the Coastguard, vessels were required for the CPS at sea and on land response, going out to the market in a competitive tender exercise during an emergency response situation would cause significant delays that would likely have a severe impact on the MCA's efforts to fulfil its obligations to protect the marine environment.