News

LPG tanker awaiting emergency rescue tug off the coast of Pembrokeshire

Published

5 years ago

February 19, 2021

A LIBERIAN registered LPG tanker is awaiting rescue off the Pembrokeshire coast after developing engine trouble, The Herald can confirm.

The 100m long vessel, which has a carrying capacity of 4278 cubic metres, got into trouble after leaving Berth 5 at Valero Oil Refinery, in Milford Haven at 2048HRS on Wednesday evening (Feb 17).

The ageing ship, the Seagas Major, was incapacitated and drifting outside the harbour limits, and two tugboats were sent to stand-by and assist if possible. However, they were not able to tow the vessel back into port.

A source close to the incident told The Herald that the coastguard are overseeing the contracting-in of a large Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) from France, to rescue the 22-year-old tanker, which is now precariously anchored off Manobier in heavy seas.

Milford Haven’s current fleet of harbour tugs are not able to assist, its understood, due to the bad weather, and lack of a boat which can tow from the stern.

The relevant authorities will have been put on standby in case of any pollution arising from the incident.

It is understood that a pilot was onboard the vessel at the time of the breakdown. In heavy seas the harbour pilot stays on board a vessel and disembarks at another safer port. This is called “carrying over”

The Herald has contacted Valero, The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Pembrokeshire County Council and Milford Haven Port Authority for a comment.

Location of the stricken tanker

RESCUE TUGS SCRAPPED

In 2010, the Government announced as part of the Department for Transport’s share of cuts in the Comprehensive Spending Review, that the ETV fleet would be no longer be funded by the MCA from September 2011, saving £32.5m over the Spending Review period.

The Department stated that “state provision of ETVs does not represent a correct use of taxpayers money and that ship salvage should be a commercial matter between a ship’s operator and the salvor”

Embarrassingly for the government, there was an incident which would serve as a stark warning as to the inanity of their money-saving plan.

Two days after the announcement that the fleet was to be disbanded, one of the rescue tugs, the Anglian Prince, was sent to the aid of the UK’s newest nuclear submarine HMS Astute, which ran aground in Scotland during sea trials.

The current tanker in jeopardy comes almost 25 years to-the-day since the Sea Empress disaster, when in February 1996, that tanker split at the entrance to Milford Haven spilling 72,000 tons of crude oil into the sea. The spill cost £60m to clean up.

There have been no warnings of any risk of pollution from the ship currently in difficulty.

Further reading:

Sea Empress oil spill: 25 years since Wales’ biggest ecological disaster – Herald report from 2021

New pilot boats ‘not fit for purpose’ – Herald report from 2018

Report concludes LNG mooring lines were ‘not fit for purpose’ following accident – Herald report from 2017

Video: Seagas Major previously filmed, video available on YouTube.

Crime

Driver accused of dangerous driving sent to Crown Court

Published

6 minutes ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Alleged incident in Ammanford

A MOTORIST accused of dangerous driving has been sent to the Crown Court following a hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Kyle Morgan, aged 27, of Heol Y Meinciau, Pontyates, appeared before magistrates on Thursday (Mar 5) charged with driving dangerously.

The court heard that the alleged offence took place on February 14 this year on Dyffryn Road, Ammanford.

Prosecutors allege that Morgan drove a motor vehicle in a manner that fell far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver, and that it would have been obvious to a competent driver that driving in that way was dangerous.

Dangerous driving is one of the most serious road traffic offences and carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a mandatory driving disqualification.

Magistrates were told that because of the seriousness of the allegation the case should be dealt with by the Crown Court.

Morgan was therefore sent to Swansea Crown Court where the case will proceed.

He was granted bail ahead of his next court appearance.

Crime

Witness intimidation allegation sent to Crown Court

Published

8 minutes ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant accused of confronting man connected to criminal case

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has been sent to the Crown Court after appearing before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court charged with intimidating a witness connected to a criminal investigation.

Justin Griffiths, aged 41, of Brynhaul Street, Llanelli, appeared before magistrates on Thursday (Mar 5) accused of attempting to interfere with the course of justice.

The court heard that the alleged incident took place on February 10 this year in Llanelli.

Prosecutors allege that Griffiths approached and verbally confronted a man whom he knew to be a witness in an ongoing criminal matter. It is claimed that his behaviour was intended to intimidate the individual and discourage them from assisting the police investigation.

The charge states that Griffiths intimidated a witness in order to obstruct, pervert or interfere with the course of justice, contrary to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

Witness intimidation offences are treated particularly seriously by the courts because they can undermine the integrity of criminal proceedings and discourage victims or witnesses from coming forward.

Magistrates were told that because of the nature of the allegation and the potential seriousness of the offence, the case was unsuitable for summary trial.

The court therefore sent Griffiths to Swansea Crown Court, where the case will proceed.

He was granted bail ahead of his next appearance at the Crown Court.

Crime

Steelworks theft conspiracy case sent to Crown Court

Published

12 minutes ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Tin ingot theft alleged

THREE men have been sent to the Crown Court accused of conspiring to steal valuable materials from the Tata Steel plant at Trostre.

The case was heard at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 5), where the defendants appeared charged with conspiracy to steal tin ingots from the Trostre Steelworks in Llanelli.

Prosecutors allege that the three men – Christopher Carter, aged 38, of Pemberton Road, Llanelli; Scott Phillips, aged 37, of Bryngwyn Road, Llanelli; and Gareth Lewis, aged 41, of Heol Stanllyd, Llanelli – entered into an agreement to steal quantities of tin ingots belonging to Tata Steel UK.

The alleged conspiracy is said to have taken place over an extended period between July 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024.

Tin ingots are a processed metal product used in steel coating and manufacturing, and the material produced at Trostre is widely used in the packaging industry, including food and drink containers.

The charge alleges that the defendants dishonestly agreed together to remove the metal from the steelworks without authority, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

Conspiracy offences are treated seriously by the courts as they involve agreements between two or more people to commit a criminal offence.

Because of the seriousness of the allegation and the potential value of the materials involved, magistrates ruled that the case was not suitable to be dealt with at the magistrates’ court.

All three defendants were sent to Swansea Crown Court where the case will proceed.

They were granted bail pending their next appearance before the Crown Court.