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Timber ship sinks in rough seas Timber ship sinks in rough seas
(40 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 crew were airlifted to Dorset and eight taken by lifeboat to Devon.
Coastguards say they are expecting a "wood slick" from the ship's cargo which could be a hazard to shipping. Coastguards said the risk of oil pollution was low, but they were concerned a "wood slick" of the cargo could be a hazard to shipping.
Timber lostTimber 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.
Twelve of the crew were airlifted to Portland, Dorset, and eight others taken by lifeboat to Brixham, Devon.
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.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 400 tonnes of fuel oil and other lubricating oils in its engine spaces.
The ship settled about 26 miles (42km) south-south east of Portland Bill, with its stern settling on the sea bed and leaving her bow about 5m (16ft) out of the water for several hours before it went completely underwater.
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.
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 shipIn 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. Helicopters have been checking the area for any signs of for oil pollution.
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. Kelly Reynolds of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said initial surveillance showed that the risk of pollution was low.
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." She said; "We've seen a slight sheen coming from the vessel, but that is to be expected considering that the engine room is flooded.
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 the main tanks with the fuel oil are still intact, so the pollution risk at this present time is very low."
But when the weather calms they may have to look at pumping oil out of the vessel's tanks. She said that coastguards were more concerned with the cargo.
She said: "We believe it is a danger to navigation because there are bundles of wood that are breaking down into loose planks."
Warnings have been sent to all shipping in the area to try to avoid floating timber.