No doubt degassing.
The prefect of Haute-Corse announced on Saturday that he had activated the Polmar-Terre plan, dedicated to the protection of the coast, after the detection on Friday of oil pollution at sea in eastern Corsica, about 10 km from the coast.
This pollution, containing heavy hydrocarbons, is divided into two slicks over a length of about 19 nautical miles (about 35 kilometers).
It is located in the Aleria-Solenzara sector and quickly drifts towards the coast, said the maritime prefecture of the Mediterranean in a press release.
Pollution approaching dangerously from the Isle of Beauty, since this Saturday morning, the maritime prefect of the Mediterranean explained on BFMTV that "the pollution zone is located 800 meters from the coast and is getting closer".
#Pollution The POLMAR (MARINE POLlutions) Earth device is a measure to fight against marine pollution by hydrocarbons on the French coast ➡️ https://t.co/CylIqkLpmI pic.twitter.com/XOJnCrp2j5
- Prefect Haute-Corse (@ Prefet2B) June 11, 2021
It “probably results from degassing but the size and nature of the products do not allow us to hope for a natural dilution and require the engagement of specific antipollution units and equipment,” the same source said.
The prefect of Haute-Corse calls on the populations "not to touch or proceed by themselves to collect the pancakes that they may be likely to find on the beaches" but to inform the gendarmerie or the firefighters of their presence.
Large resources deployed
The pollution was spotted around noon on Friday during an exercise conducted by the Solenzara air base. The Mediterranean maritime prefecture immediately dispatched a Falcon50 aircraft from the French Navy. The latter took photos which made it possible to characterize the nature, location and size of this pollution. These first elements were then confirmed by the visual observations of the customs star "Libecciu", based in Bastia, who took samples in the area.
“National resources stationed in Corsica are mobilized to intervene as quickly as possible. The situation is monitored in collaboration with the mayors ”, specified the prefecture of Haute-Corse. A “Mimosa” maritime affairs boat carrying personnel from the Aspretto naval base and the tug “Altagna” of the Erasme company based in Bastia must go there on Saturday morning to carry out control operations by trawling.
Two chartered support and assistance vessels (BSAA), "Pioneer" and "Jason", based in Toulon are also expected in the area this Saturday "with specific anti-pollution equipment and specialized personnel from the anti-pollution cell of the naval base of Toulon. The maritime prefect of the Mediterranean also explains that this pollution "is not easily diluted" and that despite the means deployed, "we cannot collect everything".