40th anniversary commemorated of M/S Eira grounding in Bothnian Bay

Today, Saturday, marks the 40th anniversary of the catastrophic grounding of the cargo ship M/S Eira in the Bothnian Bay. The vessel, loaded with timber and en route from Kokkola to Algeria, ran aground on August 31, 1984, at a depth of five meters, creating an 85-meter-long gash in its hull at a speed of 14 knots (over 25 kilometers per hour). This incident resulted in 300 tons of heavy fuel oil spilling across the outer islands of the Bothnian Bay, leading to the death of thousands of migratory birds in the area. Additional leaks occurred when Eira was towed to Vaasa and then subsequently removed, affecting an estimated 1,500 square kilometers.

Cleaning efforts proved disheartening, as local volunteer Jaakko Salo, a member of the Bothnian Bay Bird Science Association, recalled that many oiled birds had to be euthanized due to a lack of effective treatment options. Over 1,700 birds were impacted, prompting a large-scale volunteer response to clean contaminated shores, an effort that Salo described as demoralizing.

The bird rescue team examined 109 islands, facing numerous challenges as different bird species exhibited varied escape behaviors. Thankfully, the impact on certain species, like diving ducks, was comparatively low, as they employed instinctive measures to evade danger.

Today, officials believe preparations for oil spills have improved significantly since the Eira incident, with better booms and response strategies in place. Authorities are now equipped to manage spills much larger than what occurred 40 years ago, highlighting advancements in emergency preparedness and communication. Nevertheless, officials note that risks remain, as poorly maintained vessels still navigate the seas.