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Car carrier drifting in heavy sea Car carrier drifting in heavy sea
(10 minutes later)
A car carrier is drifting in high winds and heavy seas off the Cornish coast after its engines failed.A car carrier is drifting in high winds and heavy seas off the Cornish coast after its engines failed.
Falmouth Coastguard is co-ordinating the recovery of the Figaro about 12 miles south-west of Land's End.Falmouth Coastguard is co-ordinating the recovery of the Figaro about 12 miles south-west of Land's End.
A Coastguard tug has been sent to tow the vessel into calmer waters and a lifeboat and a rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor will cover the operation.A Coastguard tug has been sent to tow the vessel into calmer waters and a lifeboat and a rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor will cover the operation.
Coastguards say there is no immediate danger to the 30 crew on the Figaro which is carrying about 2,500 cars.Coastguards say there is no immediate danger to the 30 crew on the Figaro which is carrying about 2,500 cars.
Rocks danger Rock danger
Peter Bullard, of Falmouth Coastguard, said conditions were gale force to severe gale force. Peter Bullard, of Falmouth Coastguard, said: "She's quite a large car carrier - over 50,000 tonnes - so she is a problem once she starts drifting.
The main concern was that the Figaro was drifting towards rocks but that no longer appeared to be the case, he added. "The conditions are certainly bad, they're currently gale force to severe gale force winds.
The tug, the Anglian Princess, was anchored and ready for such an event in Mount's Bay at the time of the incident and has arrived alongside the stricken vessel. "So certainly with a vessel of this type, where she presents a very high side towards the wind, her drift rate is very quick indeed.
A line will be put on board the Figaro and once that is complete it will be towed to Falmouth. "Our main concern was she was initially drifting directly towards Wolf Rock, which whilst it's an isolated pinnacle in the water, the law of averages suggest there could well be a problem."
He said that the Figaro, which was en route from Santander in north Spain to Bristol, now appeared to be drifting in an easterly direction and was not in immediate danger.
The tug, the Anglian Princess, was anchored in Mount's Bay at the time of the incident and has arrived alongside the stricken vessel.
A line will be put on board the Figaro before it is towed to Falmouth.