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Attempt to re-float stricken ship Attempt to re-float stricken ship
(about 8 hours later)
Another attempt is being made to re-float a stricken cargo vessel which ran aground near a harbour. A stricken cargo vessel which ran aground near a harbour may be freed by the weekend, according to experts carrying out the recovery operation.
The MV Emsland, laden with 1776 tonnes of timber, got into trouble shortly after it left the Port of Montrose, in Angus, on 29 December.The MV Emsland, laden with 1776 tonnes of timber, got into trouble shortly after it left the Port of Montrose, in Angus, on 29 December.
All attempts to re-float the 270ft vessel have so far failed. Work has started to remove some of the cargo and oil from the 270ft ship, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has set up a salvage control to cut the risk of pollution from the 33 tonnes of marine diesel on board the ship. Concern has been raised about possible damage to the bottom of the vessel.
Fred Caygill, of the MCA, said: "Every effort is being made to recover the vessel and its bunkers with minimal impact to the environment. The MCA has sent a salvage control team to the area to oversee the removals in the hope that making the ship lighter will allow it to be re-floated.
"Salvage experts are now in place and are assessing the plans to carry out the task ahead of them whilst awaiting the arrival of some specialist marine craft which will carry equipment to the grounded vessel." The MV Emsland has been taking water into two of its ballast tanks and concern has been raised that a leakage of the ship's diesel oil could threaten the local seabird population.
The Emsland, which has been taking water into two of its ballast tanks, ran aground on the Annat Bank in the River South Esk. Fred Caygill, of the MCA, said: "Every effort is being made to recover the vessel and its bunkers with minimal impact to the environment."
The MV Emsland ran aground on the Annat Bank in the River South Esk.