An oil spill in the busy channel between Malta and Sicily would linger and have a high probability of hitting one of the two islands, according to simulations being developed by university experts.

Oceanographer Aldo Drago told Times of Malta that the strong anti-clockwise current meant the slick would not float away. Instead, it would remain fairly static, moving only in a circular motion until it hit one of the two islands.

Once close to the shoreline, oil spills normally travel along the coastal periphery, rarely entering the shallow waters. However the strong anti-clockwise current in the popular shipping lane would increase the likelihood of the spill hugging the shore. This, he said, could have devastating effects on the island.

Prof. Drago was contacted for his reaction to an Auditor General’s report into the state of the island’s oil spill reaction services.

The report found that a spill along the Maltese shoreline would have an almost instant impact on the island’s water production by crippling most reverse osmosis operations. Power generation capabilities would also be at risk, as the Delimara power station uses sea water to cool its machinery.

Marine biologist Alan Deidun said the financial investment to counter an oil spill did not match the strides being made by academics. “Unfortunately, investment in equipment has not equalled the efforts being made by academics,” he said.

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