INVESTIGATIONS are continuing today into the sinking of a barge that leaked sewage into the River Itchen.

A major clean-up operation was launched when the MV Humber Star began taking on water and leaking gallons of effluent and red diesel off Woolston jetty, Southampton.

The alarm was raised by residents who dialled 999 after smelling a foul stench coming from the sinking ship.

Nobody was onboard at the time, but police received reports of the smell from as far away as Hythe, on the opposite side of Southampton Water.

Anti-pollution booms were placed around the partially submerged 148ft barge to stop the sludge spreading further.

Attempts to salvage her were due to continue today.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the spill had been contained and any pollution would disperse quickly, but the Environment Agency (EA) said it would continue to monitor for any impact on wildlife.

An EA spokesman said: “We are currently conducting a full investigation into the incident.

At this stage the pollutants have been contained and there is minimal impact to the environment.

“We will continue to work closely with all agencies involved throughout the incident and the investigation process.”

The vessel was being operated by Oran Environmental Solutions, a Scottish waste management firm, on behalf of Southern Water to transport sludge from Woolston treatment works to the recycling centre in Slowhill Copse, Marchwood.

A Southern Water spokeswoman could not say how much of the 800 gallons of red diesel had leaked into the river.

She also stressed that the barge contained sludge that had already undergone a number of treatment processes, and not raw sewage.


Oran will today begin pumping out the remaining diesel into another barge and pump the sludge back to the waste treatment works.

A company statement said: “No cause for the incident has as yet been identified but this is currently under investigation by the authorities. Oran Environmental Solutions has also initiated its own investigation but it may take some time before the cause is determined.”

Captain Philip Holliday, Southampton harbour master, said the boat had been operating the waters for some time and cause of the accident was unknown.

“The Southampton Patrol launch carries a supply of absorbent booms which we put out and then we contacted Oil Spill Response who are based in Southampton and they have deployed a larger boom,” he said.

“Most people wouldn’t have been aware there was anything going on and once it is recovered an investigation will be started.”