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| Timber ship sinks in rough seas | Timber ship sinks in rough seas |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A stricken cargo ship has sunk in rough weather a day after its crew was rescued during an earlier storm. | A stricken cargo ship has sunk in rough weather a day after its crew was rescued during an earlier storm. |
| The Greek-registered Ice Prince went down about 26 miles (42km) off Portland Bill, Dorset, after shedding its load of nearly 5,260 tonnes of timber. | The Greek-registered Ice Prince went down about 26 miles (42km) off Portland Bill, Dorset, after shedding its load of nearly 5,260 tonnes of timber. |
| Twelve of the crew were airlifted to Portland and eight others taken by lifeboat to Brixham, Devon. | Twelve of the crew were airlifted to Portland and eight others taken by lifeboat to Brixham, Devon. |
| Coastguards say they are expecting a "wood slick" from the ship's cargo which could be a hazard to shipping. | Coastguards say they are expecting a "wood slick" from the ship's cargo which could be a hazard to shipping. |
| Timber lost | Timber lost |
| A coastguard spokesman said the ship sank at about 0045 GMT on Tuesday after being monitored through the night by two tugs. | A coastguard spokesman said the ship sank at about 0045 GMT on Tuesday after being monitored through the night by two tugs. |
| Waves had reached 9ft (2.7m) and there were strong winds. | Waves had reached 9ft (2.7m) and there were strong winds. |
| The Ice Prince, which weighs 6,395 tonnes and is 328ft (100m) in length, sent out its initial emergency call at about 1900 GMT on Sunday. | The Ice Prince, which weighs 6,395 tonnes and is 328ft (100m) in length, sent out its initial emergency call at about 1900 GMT on Sunday. |
| Rescuers battled gale force winds and rough seas with 16ft (5m) swells to evacuate the men from the vessel in a mission one lifeboatman described as a "once-in-a-career" rescue. | Rescuers battled gale force winds and rough seas with 16ft (5m) swells to evacuate the men from the vessel in a mission one lifeboatman described as a "once-in-a-career" rescue. |
| Coastguards are warning of a "slick" of wood from the shipIt is understood the members of the Ice Prince's crew were all foreign nationals and were wearing lifejackets and immersion suits when rescued. | |
| The vessel was carrying 5,258 tonnes of sawn timber. More than 2,000 tonnes of the cargo was being carried on the deck. All of the timber has been lost. | The vessel was carrying 5,258 tonnes of sawn timber. More than 2,000 tonnes of the cargo was being carried on the deck. All of the timber has been lost. |
| It was also carrying an estimated 313 tonnes of fuel oil and other lubricating oils in its engine spaces. | It was also carrying an estimated 313 tonnes of fuel oil and other lubricating oils in its engine spaces. |
| A counter-pollution aircraft was sent to the scene to survey the area and a salvage headquarters has been set up at Weymouth's Customs House. | A counter-pollution aircraft was sent to the scene to survey the area and a salvage headquarters has been set up at Weymouth's Customs House. |
| Coastguards said they were expecting a "wood slick" to end up somewhere on the south coast over the next few days. | Coastguards said they were expecting a "wood slick" to end up somewhere on the south coast over the next few days. |
| Police forces have been alerted, and warnings have been sent to all shipping in the area to try to avoid floating timber. | Police forces have been alerted, and warnings have been sent to all shipping in the area to try to avoid floating timber. |
| In pictures: sinking ship | In pictures: sinking ship |
| Donald MacDonald, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said the position the vessel had come to rest in before fully sinking could have caused problems in its recovery. | Donald MacDonald, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said the position the vessel had come to rest in before fully sinking could have caused problems in its recovery. |
| It settled about 26 miles (42km) south-south east of Portland Bill, with its stern settling on the sea bed and her bow out of the water. It has since completely gone underwater. | It settled about 26 miles (42km) south-south east of Portland Bill, with its stern settling on the sea bed and her bow out of the water. It has since completely gone underwater. |
| He said: "The conditions overnight didn't help. We've lost the deck cargo so we've a raft of timber at sea and contingencies will be put in place to recover that." | He said: "The conditions overnight didn't help. We've lost the deck cargo so we've a raft of timber at sea and contingencies will be put in place to recover that." |
| It is not yet known if any oil has leaked from the vessel. Coastguards said it was likely to have been broken up by rough seas already. | It is not yet known if any oil has leaked from the vessel. Coastguards said it was likely to have been broken up by rough seas already. |
| But when the weather calms they may have to look at pumping oil out of the vessel's tanks. | But when the weather calms they may have to look at pumping oil out of the vessel's tanks. |