Mysterious film appears on waters of Penarth marina

Residents a marina in the Vale have noticed a rainbow-coloured film appear on the waters, and a strong smell of diesel in the air.

Watch the video further down in the article of what we found at the marina.

One disgruntled resident said he couldn’t open his windows for the smell and feared for the wildlife that come to and enjoy the calming waters of the marina. That wildlife can include swans with their signets, and coots.

Photos taken on Tuesday, July 4, at Penarth Marina, show a multi-coloured film on the water in at least three different areas.

We’ve spoken to Stuart Jones, of Boatfolk, who manage the marina, who explained the situation looks worse than it seems.

“Diesel breaks down to a single molecule when it spreads, meaning a spillage the size of an egg cup can cover a large area,” said Mr Jones.

The film has appeared in the last few days (Image: Newsquest)

The spillage is said to be diesel (Image: Newsquest)

Watch the video below of the multi-coloured film on the waters of Penarth Marina.

Mr Jones explained Boatfolk are aware of it and they have mitigated the problem by trying to break it up so it dissipates quicker.

Mr Jones explained: “On July 3 or sometime overnight a small amount of diesel was discharged into the water and discovered on Tuesday morning, with the wind blowing it into corners of the marina.

“We’re really talking egg cup fulls here.”

Boatfolk who manage the marina know about the issue (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Jones said there were a number of reasons this could be happening.

He went on: “This could happen from a number of sources, including discharge from a boat when their billage pump kicks in, there are also two storm water outlets that go into the marina, and finally there are parts of the marina where road drains go straight off the road into the water so any residue on the roads goes into the marina.”

The spillage is said to be small, with diesel spreading over the surface (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Jones explained it’s very difficult to monitor where the spillages come from, but reassured the public that Boatfolk are aware of the incident.

“Because it spreads so quickly it can be very difficult to find out where it came from,” said Mr Jones.

It's siad to be very difficult to detect where the spillage came from (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Jones said, despite the size of the spillage, the marina authority take it seriously.

“We are a blue flag marina,” said Mr Jones. “We do take this seriously. If we find someone is doing this that customer will be dealt with, and if it’s a resident who has put something down the drain we will tell them, but it is difficult to find.”

A strong smell came from the spillage (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Jones finished by saying professional advice on fixing the situation is simple.

“Let nature take its course,” said Mr Jones. “Let nature break it down naturally.”