Trust takes next steps to see Spinningdale removed

Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland has met with the owners of the Spinningdale, the ship which remains stranded on St Kilda, to discuss plans for its removal.

Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland has met with the owners of the Spinningdale, the ship which remains stranded on St Kilda, to discuss plans for its removal.

The vessel was grounded on St Kilda, which is owned and managed by the Trust, during violent winter storms on 1February 2008.

In April, an expert maritime salvage crew removed potentially harmful liquids, including diesel and oil, and equipment from the ship, before the seabird breeding season began to help protect the important wildlife.

Now the Trust has met with owners of the vessel to discuss future plans for the possible removal of the ship.

It has been agreed to commission a feasibility study to examine the complex safety and environmental factors surrounding the removal of any remaining equipment and the vessel. This will be paid for by the ship’s insurers.

The ship will remain in situ until the full details of the study are available for careful consideration by all parties.

Property Manager Susan Bain said:

“We are very clear that we want to see the Spinningdale removed from dual World Heritage Site, St Kilda. However, this is a complex operation and must be carefully considered and managed.

“As well as the issues regarding access to St Kilda and its remoteness, there are also logistical issues which make salvage a real challenge. The water around the Spinningdale is very shallow and it would be difficult for a salvage vessel to get close enough to carry work out safely. We also need to ensure that removing the wreck would not permanently damage the delicate reefs under the ship.

“That is why we have agreed to commission this study which will clearly set out all the issues and their impact upon this pristine environment. This means that the ship will stay where it is over the winter months and when the good weather returns next spring, we will have a clear way forward which will ensure that any work is carried out safely and in a ways which best protects St Kilda’s environment and wildlife.”