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 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
High tide refloats container ship | High tide refloats container ship |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Coastguards have successfully refloated a German container vessel which ran aground off Kent. | Coastguards have successfully refloated a German container vessel which ran aground off Kent. |
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 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 refloated the vessel with while a coastguard tug also stood by. | |
The ship will be anchored three miles off the coast of Deal overnight. | The ship will be anchored three miles off the coast of Deal overnight. |
Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive will board the vessel to decide whether it is safe for it to continue its voyage. | Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive will board the vessel to decide whether it is safe for it to continue its voyage. |
All the crew, who were unhurt, remained aboard while it was aground and also during the refloating operation. | All the crew, who were unhurt, remained aboard while it was aground and also during the refloating operation. |
The ship is expected to stay at its anchorage, in an area called The Downs, for most of Thursday while the teams work out how it ran aground. | |
The MCA said earlier on Wednesday it appeared the ship was still watertight. | The MCA said earlier on Wednesday it appeared the ship was still watertight. |
Spokesman Mike Toogood said the ship was freed from the sandbank by the tugs' combined pulling power and its own power. | Spokesman Mike Toogood said the ship was freed from the sandbank by the tugs' combined pulling power and its own power. |
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. | 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. |
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. |
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 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 |