The general cargo vessel Lysblink Seaways has run aground north of the Isle of Mull, near Kilchoan.

The Highlands Council and the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) are sending counter-pollution equipment to the scene following a small leak from the ship.

A coastguard spokesman said: ‘This leak is from the starboard side of the vessel, estimated to be an egg cup in volume as it has created a light sheen of about 2m by 2m. There is currently a low risk of pollution.’

The tug small ‘Forth Jouster’ is still loading diving equipment and will take about two hours to get from Mallaig to the site.

Another larger tug ‘Kingdom of Fife’ is expected to arrive just before midnight tonight. Both tugs are operated by Briggs.

The emergency towing vessel (ETV) is still heading west, within her normal operating area.

Two salvage companies Svitzer and Smit are involved with a team of two – Salvage Master and Naval Architect.

Salvors will make an early assessment this evening.

The grounded cargo ship. Picture credit: Twitter/@ruaridhm82

Picture credit: Twitter/@ruaridhm82

The ship grounded in the early hours this morning and alerted the coastguard at approximately 1.50am.

Lysblink Seaways had nine people on board and the Tobermory RNLI lifeboat crew kept a watchful eye on the vessel overnight.

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The vessel’s owners have appointed a salvage company and a commercial tug.

Lysblink Seaways was bound from Belfast to Skogn in Norway when she ran aground.