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Timber ship sinks in rough seas | Timber ship sinks in rough seas |
(10 minutes later) | |
A stricken cargo ship has sunk in rough weather off the Devon coast, coastguards have said. | A stricken cargo ship has sunk in rough weather off the Devon coast, coastguards have said. |
The Greek-registered Ice Prince went down about 26 miles (42km) off Portland Bill after shedding much of its load of nearly 5,260 tonnes of sawn timber. | The Greek-registered Ice Prince went down about 26 miles (42km) off Portland Bill after shedding much of its load of nearly 5,260 tonnes of sawn timber. |
Twelve of the crew were airlifted to Portland and eight others taken by the Torbay lifeboat to Brixham after it got into difficulties on Sunday night. | Twelve of the crew were airlifted to Portland and eight others taken by the Torbay lifeboat to Brixham after it got into difficulties on Sunday night. |
A counter-pollution aircraft is being sent to the scene to survey the area. | A counter-pollution aircraft is being sent to the scene to survey the area. |
A coastguard spokesman said the ship had sunk at about 0045 GMT on Tuesday after being monitored throughout the night by two tugs. | A coastguard spokesman said the ship had sunk at about 0045 GMT on Tuesday after being monitored throughout 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. |
We probably have a bigger problem now than we had yesterday Donald MacDonald Maritime and Coastguard Agency | We probably have a bigger problem now than we had yesterday Donald MacDonald Maritime and Coastguard Agency |
The Ice Prince, which weighs 6,395 tonnes and is 328ft (10m) in length, sent out its initial emergency call at 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. |
It is understood Ice Prince's crew were all foreign nationals and were wearing lifejackets and immersion suits when rescued. | It is understood 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 was being carried on the deck. | |
The vessel was also carrying an estimated 313 tonnes of fuel oil and other lubricating oils in its engine spaces. | The vessel was also carrying an estimated 313 tonnes of fuel oil and other lubricating oils in its engine spaces. |
Shoreline impact | Shoreline impact |
Donald MacDonald from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said the position the vessel had come to rest in could cause problems in its recovery. | Donald MacDonald from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said the position the vessel had come to rest in could cause problems in its recovery. |
"Currently she's positioned with the stern settling on the sea bed and her bow out of the water, so we probably have a bigger problem now than we had yesterday," he said. | "Currently she's positioned with the stern settling on the sea bed and her bow out of the water, so we probably have a bigger problem now than we had yesterday," he said. |
"The conditions overnight didn't help. We've lost the desk cargo so we've a raft of timber at sea and contingencies will be put in place to recover that. | "The conditions overnight didn't help. We've lost the desk cargo so we've a raft of timber at sea and contingencies will be put in place to recover that. |
"It's now a case of getting insurers and salvors together in a meeting this morning to plan the way ahead." | "It's now a case of getting insurers and salvors together in a meeting this morning to plan the way ahead." |
Coastguards said police forces were aware of the sinking but any impact on the shoreline could take some days. | Coastguards said police forces were aware of the sinking but any impact on the shoreline could take some days. |
Traffic in nearby shipping lanes is being warned about the cargo which has been shed. |