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 1 Version 2
Attempt under way to refloat ship High tide refloats container ship
(40 minutes later)
Coastguards are attempting to refloat a German container vessel with 27 crew on board which ran aground off Kent. Coastguards have successfully refloated a German container vessel 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 with 27 crew onboard was en route to the Suez Canal when it hit 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. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said three commercial tugs refloated the vessel with while a coastguard tug was also stood by.
All the crew are still aboard and unhurt and the ship appears watertight. The ship will be anchored three miles off the coast of Deal overnight.
"The attempt is well under way now," said MCA spokesman Mike Toogood. Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive will board the vessel to decide whether it is safe for it to continue its voyage.
"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." All the crew, who were unhurt, remained aboard while it was aground and also during the refloating operation.
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. The MCA said earlier on Wednesday it appeared the ship was still watertight.
Another attempt would be made on Thursday morning's high tide if it was unsuccessful. Spokesman Mike Toogood said the ship was freed from the sandbank by the tugs' combined pulling power and its own power.
Mr Toogood said the refloating operation could be dangerous, with windy conditions not helping. Earlier, the MCA said the evening's high tide would be the best chance to move the vessel before the tide dropped over the next few days.
"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.
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.
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.ukHave 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 videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
Name
 Name