Ship Runs Aground Above Gas Pipeline

The boat has run aground on the river Tay near Elcho castle

A cargo ship has run aground off Elcho Castle in the Tay estuary, near Perth, with the bow resting above an underwater natural gas pipeline.

The Bahamian registered Celtica Hav was carrying wheat into Perth Harbour about 0330 GMT when she grounded.

The seven crew on board are uninjured, and Forth coastguard hope to refloat the ship at the next high tide at about 1530 GMT.

Shell has said the pipeline is 2.75m under the river bed.

It carries natural gas between St Fergus, in Aberdeenshire, and Mosmorran, in Fife, and is encased in concrete.

The pipeline operation is unaffected and is not being shutdown.

Author: Jo Amey