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Timber ship sinks in rough seas Timber ship sinks in rough seas
(about 2 hours later)
A stricken cargo ship has sunk in rough weather off Devon, a day after its crew were rescued during an earlier storm. A stricken cargo ship has sunk in rough weather off Devon 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 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. Coastguards say they are expecting a "wood slick" from the ship's cargo.
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 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.
We probably have a bigger problem now than we had yesterday Donald MacDonald Maritime and Coastguard AgencyWe 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 (100m) in length, sent out its initial emergency call at 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.
It is understood Ice Prince's crew were all foreign nationals and were wearing lifejackets and immersion suits when rescued. It 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 was being carried on the deck.The vessel was carrying 5,258 tonnes of sawn timber. More than 2,000 tonnes was being carried on the deck.
Floating timber
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.
A counter-pollution aircraft is being 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.
The Ice Princess shed some of its cargo of timber before sinkingThe Ice Princess shed some of its cargo of timber before sinking
Police forces have been alerted, and warnings have been to all shipping in the area to try to avoid floating timber.
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 deck 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 deck 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. It is not know yet if any oil has leaked out from the vessel. Coastguards said it was likely to have been broken up by rough seas already.
Traffic in nearby shipping lanes is being warned about the cargo which has been shed. But when the weather calms they may have to look at pumping oil out of the vessel's tanks.