This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/kent/7168742.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Attempt under way to refloat ship | Attempt under way to refloat ship |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Coastguards are attempting to refloat a German container vessel with 27 crew on board which ran aground off Kent. | |
| The 90,465-tonne LT Cortesia was en route to the Suez Canal when it ran aground on the Varne Bank, nine miles (14km) south of Dover harbour. | The 90,465-tonne LT Cortesia was en route to the Suez Canal when it ran aground on the Varne Bank, nine miles (14km) south of Dover harbour. |
| The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said three commercial tugs had a line onto the vessel and a coastguard tug was also standing by. | |
| All the crew are still aboard and unhurt and the ship appears watertight. | |
| "The attempt is well under way now," said MCA spokesman Mike Toogood. | |
| "It is down to the tugs' combined pulling power to try to get it off the sandbank, as well as the vessel's own power." | |
| Earlier, the MCA said Wednesday evening's high tide would be the best chance to move the vessel before the tide dropped over the next few days. | |
| Another attempt would be made on Thursday morning's high tide if it was unsuccessful. | |
| Mr Toogood said the refloating operation could be dangerous, with windy conditions not helping. | |
| "But the crews on the tugs are well experienced - they know what they are doing," he said. | |
| The ship is carrying 4,148 containers, some of which is "hazardous cargo", but they are reported to be secure. | The ship is carrying 4,148 containers, some of which is "hazardous cargo", but they are reported to be secure. |
| The exact nature of the materials on board is unknown but it is carrying a mix of cargo. | The exact nature of the materials on board is unknown but it is carrying a mix of cargo. |
| All vessels entering the Dover Strait have to report any hazardous materials to the Coastguard. | All vessels entering the Dover Strait have to report any hazardous materials to the Coastguard. |
| The vessel is not thought to have sustained any damage. | The vessel is not thought to have sustained any damage. |
| It is unclear why the vessel ran aground. | It is unclear why the vessel ran aground. |
| There is currently a 2.5 mile (4km) exclusion zone around the ship and a 3,000ft air exclusion zone. | There is currently a 2.5 mile (4km) exclusion zone around the ship and a 3,000ft air exclusion zone. |
| The container vessel ran aground just before high water at 0500 GMT as it travelled through the Dover Strait in the south west bound lane from Thames Port. | The container vessel ran aground just before high water at 0500 GMT as it travelled through the Dover Strait in the south west bound lane from Thames Port. |
| The Varne sandbank is a well-known hazard that is clearly marked on all shipping charts. | The Varne sandbank is a well-known hazard that is clearly marked on all shipping charts. |
| Have you been affected by this? Or do you have any pictures of the ship aground? If so, you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk | Have you been affected by this? Or do you have any pictures of the ship aground? If so, you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |