A DUTCH-registered oil tanker has been re-floated after running aground in Lough Foyle.
The large 11,826-tonne vessel raised the alarm shortly after 9am yesterday after it ran aground on the Tuns sandbank between Greencastle and Magilligan near the mouth of Lough Foyle.
The Thun Liffey, which is 150 metres long and is registered in the Netherlands, was launched earlier this year. The vessel left Derry's Foyle Port around 7.30am yesterday after unloading its oil cargo at a nearby terminal. There were no reports of injuries.
The Irish Coastguard was alerted to the situation at 9.10am.
A spokesman said: “Contact was established with the master of the vessel and no damage or pollution was reported.”
Two tugs were dispatched from Derry port at Lisahally to assist the Thun Liffey and the vessel was re-floated shortly after 2pm. The ship was towed back into Derry as a precautionary measure and is expected to be allowed to leave after it is inspected for damage.
The Thun Liffey has docked at Derry on several occasions since its launch, carrying oil from Milford Haven in Britain. It was on its way back to Milford Haven when it ran aground and was due to arrive there at 10am this morning.
