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Crew rescued from stricken tug off Devon coast Crew rescued from stricken tug off Devon coast
(about 2 hours later)
Eight crew members have been rescued from a tug off the Devon coast after it was holed by the ship it was towing.Eight crew members have been rescued from a tug off the Devon coast after it was holed by the ship it was towing.
The Christos XXII, which contains about 200 tonnes of diesel, was holed off Hope's Nose, off Torbay.The Christos XXII, which contains about 200 tonnes of diesel, was holed off Hope's Nose, off Torbay.
Two lifeboats, the Exmouth and Torbay, and two naval ships, including HMS Lancaster, were sent to the scene.Two lifeboats, the Exmouth and Torbay, and two naval ships, including HMS Lancaster, were sent to the scene.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the pumping of water from the vessel was going well and so far there were no reports of pollution.The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the pumping of water from the vessel was going well and so far there were no reports of pollution.
The crew was taken off by lifeboat. An inflatable pollution control boom will be used to contain any diesel spillage.The crew was taken off by lifeboat. An inflatable pollution control boom will be used to contain any diesel spillage.
Wooden pegsWooden pegs
The incident started at about 21:30 GMT on Sunday when the 70-metre tug, which was towing an empty hull from Germany to Turkey, slowed to check a problem with the tow and was struck on the port side.The incident started at about 21:30 GMT on Sunday when the 70-metre tug, which was towing an empty hull from Germany to Turkey, slowed to check a problem with the tow and was struck on the port side.
A gash nearly 40cm long was opened up and the ship began to take on water.A gash nearly 40cm long was opened up and the ship began to take on water.
Work is continuing to pump the water out of the engine room. The water level in the vessel's engine room is dropping.
I am told the water level is reducing and it is down to about three quarters of a metre. Earlier two pumps were used to remove the water, now only one remains.
There are currently two pumps there, but more are on the way. Divers are on standby to see how the hole in the hull can be repaired.
There are still concerns that the water might cause this vessel -which has about 200 tonnes of diesel onboard - to sink. The vessel the Christos XXII was towing is stable but is listing to 30 degrees.
The plan is to tow both vessels to safety when they are stable.
Crew members tried to plug the tear with wooden pegs and pump the water out.Crew members tried to plug the tear with wooden pegs and pump the water out.
The Christos sent a Mayday call which was picked up by Brixham coastguards who have been co-ordinating the rescue.The Christos sent a Mayday call which was picked up by Brixham coastguards who have been co-ordinating the rescue.
The two lifeboats have been at the scene with HMS Lancaster and the navy vessel HMS Severn. A second tug, the MTS Vulcan, was also standing by.The two lifeboats have been at the scene with HMS Lancaster and the navy vessel HMS Severn. A second tug, the MTS Vulcan, was also standing by.
A third tug, the Brent, was sent to the scene in an attempt to see if the Christos could be towed to safety.A third tug, the Brent, was sent to the scene in an attempt to see if the Christos could be towed to safety.
A helicopter from RMB Chivenor was used to bring salvage pumps to the scene.A helicopter from RMB Chivenor was used to bring salvage pumps to the scene.
Speaking just before 02:00 GMT, a Brixham coastguard spokesman said the operation was continuing and lines had been attached to the Christos and the 80 metre-long hull it had been towing.Speaking just before 02:00 GMT, a Brixham coastguard spokesman said the operation was continuing and lines had been attached to the Christos and the 80 metre-long hull it had been towing.
"The problem is this is happening quite close to shore and if this boat sinks there could be a big pollution problem," he said."The problem is this is happening quite close to shore and if this boat sinks there could be a big pollution problem," he said.
The diesel would contaminate beaches and "impact on local birds and wildlife", the spokesman added.The diesel would contaminate beaches and "impact on local birds and wildlife", the spokesman added.