Efforts Underway to Refloat New Tanker Aground in Lough Foyle

29th December 2020

Lorna Siggins

The 11,826 tonne Thun Liffey Credit: Courtesy Vesselfinder

Efforts are underway to refloat a newly built 150m oil tanker which ran aground close to the mouth of Lough Foyle earlier this morning.

The 11,826 tonne Thun Liffey was leaving Lisahally terminal in Derry for Milford Haven when the incident occurred at about 9 am.

The ship grounded on the “Tuns” sandbank, running between the mouth of the Foyle and Magilligan Point.

No pollution and no injuries have been reported.

A screenshot from the Marine Traffic website showing the status of Thun Liffey as 'aground'

However, several tugs were dispatched to assist the vessel in refloating off the sandbank on the incoming tide.

It is expected the ship will be inspected for any damage before it is authorised to leave Derry.

The Thun Liffey was built this year (2020) and is sailing under the Netherlands flag.

It had steamed frequently between Derry and Milford Haven this month, and had already discharged its cargo. It was due to arrive in Milford Haven tomorrow (Wed Dec 30) at 10 am.

Published in Ports & Shipping

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About The Author

Lorna Siggins

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Lorna Siggins is a print and radio reporter, and a former Irish Times western correspondent. She is the author of Search and Rescue: True stories of Irish Air-Sea Rescues and the Loss of R116 (2022); Everest Callling (1994) on the first Irish Everest expedition; Mayday! Mayday! (2004); and Once Upon a Time in the West: the Corrib gas controversy (2010). She is also co-producer with Sarah Blake of the Doc on One "Miracle in Galway Bay" which recently won a Celtic Media Award

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