Letters / Abiding memories
Thanks for your excellent coverage and witnesses’ statements for this event of 20 years ago (Braer – 20 years on…could it happen again?; SN 4/1/13).
Shetland Amenity Trust’s Woodlands Team volunteered to help in wildlife recovery the day after the Braer ran aground. We were dispatched to Burra.
The most abiding memories I have of this are:
· sheep wandering blind because of oil spray near Bannamin Beach;
· rescuing an oiled guillemot from a brown sea;
· the smell of oil at Tresta, where I live, more than 20 miles from Garths Ness – I still get flashbacks of this;
· the incredible power of the sea and the wind, which, apart from swiftly wrecking a stricken ship, dispersed this Guinness-like soup and foam in a few days;
· a very well co-ordinated response to the emergency from the local authority, government and voluntary agencies, and many groups and individuals.
We were also lucky. I sincerely hope that nothing like it will ever happen again, here or elsewhere.
We are so dependent on oil, nothing should be spared to protect our world and its people, flora and fauna, from its ill and human generated effects, whether they be war, exploitation, or pollution.
James Mackenzie
The Lea
Tresta
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
