MULHEIMS ‘DIRTY’ CARGO SPREADING FAR AND WIDE

Plastic and foam car scrap from the stricken vessel the RMS Mulheim is arriving
on each new tide at some of the North Coast’s most popular beaches.

Following the discovery last Friday of Mulheim waste at Newquay’s Great Western
Beach, the scrap has now been found at Porthtowan, Chapelporth and Perranporth.
In addition it has also affected Sennen, Gwenvor, Priest’s Cove, Nanjizal, Porthmeor,
Porthkidney and Hayle.

These are only the beaches we have had confirmed as affected but the likelihood
is that many more beaches will be littered with this material along the North
Coast.

Beach goers and water users should be vigilant when using the beach as to step
on some of the items is likely to cause injury. Much of the larger plastic material
has sharp edges.

SAS have contacted local authorities and the emergency planning team from Cornwall
County Council concerning the ‘new finds’ and they are currently assessing the
extent of the cargo’s distribution.

Richard Hardy, SAS Campaign Assistant says: "We are really disappointed
that a cargo that could have been better contained has now become a nuisance
to beach goers and water users at some of Cornwall’s finest beaches. The scale
of this incident may soon have an effect on tourism so it is vital daily beach
cleans are undertaken until our coast is clear of Mulheim waste. Cleaning costs
undertaken by local authorities should be borne by the shipper to ensure the
‘polluter pays’ principle is fully adopted".

For further information please contact Richard or Vicky on Tel: 01872 553001
or Mobile 07817 401480.