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Shipwreck timber washing ashore | Shipwreck timber washing ashore |
(about 2 hours later) | |
People have been seen wading into the water along the Sussex coastline to grab timber from a cargo ship which sank off the Dorset coast. | People have been seen wading into the water along the Sussex coastline to grab timber from a cargo ship which sank off the Dorset coast. |
The Greek-registered Ice Prince went down about 26 miles (42km) off Portland Bill after being damaged in a storm. | The Greek-registered Ice Prince went down about 26 miles (42km) off Portland Bill after being damaged in a storm. |
She shed more than 2,000 tonnes of her 5,260-tonne timber cargo. An exclusion zone is in place around the ship. | She shed more than 2,000 tonnes of her 5,260-tonne timber cargo. An exclusion zone is in place around the ship. |
The timber is reported to be coming ashore along the south coast between Selsey Bill and Brighton. | The timber is reported to be coming ashore along the south coast between Selsey Bill and Brighton. |
Colin Griffiths, Solent Coastguard watch manager, said: "The first report of people wading into the water at Selsey Bill in West Sussex came in at 0830 GMT. | |
We are determined not to have a repeat of the Napoli Watch manager Colin Griffiths | We are determined not to have a repeat of the Napoli Watch manager Colin Griffiths |
"There have also been reports this morning of timber washing ashore at beaches in Littehampton, Shoreham, Bognor Regis and Worthing. | "There have also been reports this morning of timber washing ashore at beaches in Littehampton, Shoreham, Bognor Regis and Worthing. |
"I believe the timber is likely to float as far as Newhaven and even Beachy Head. | "I believe the timber is likely to float as far as Newhaven and even Beachy Head. |
"We are determined not to have a repeat of the Napoli." | "We are determined not to have a repeat of the Napoli." |
When The MSC Napoli ran aground off the Devon Coast almost a year ago, scavengers swarmed to Branscombe in search of plunder. | When The MSC Napoli ran aground off the Devon Coast almost a year ago, scavengers swarmed to Branscombe in search of plunder. |
Shipping hazard | Shipping hazard |
Police and coastguards are now at some Sussex beaches trying to stop people taking the cargo, which will be removed by contractors, added Mr Griffiths. | Police and coastguards are now at some Sussex beaches trying to stop people taking the cargo, which will be removed by contractors, added Mr Griffiths. |
Worthing beach has now been closed, said West Sussex County Council. | Worthing beach has now been closed, said West Sussex County Council. |
On Thursday, The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) warned people who keep the washed-up timber from the Ice Prince could be arrested and fined up to £2,500. | On Thursday, The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) warned people who keep the washed-up timber from the Ice Prince could be arrested and fined up to £2,500. |
See the "wood slick" In pictures: Sinking shipScavengers' wood warning | See the "wood slick" In pictures: Sinking shipScavengers' wood warning |
Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, it is both an offence to conceal or keep possession of such cargo, or to fail to report the cargo. | Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, it is both an offence to conceal or keep possession of such cargo, or to fail to report the cargo. |
The agency said the risk of oil pollution was low, but they were concerned the "wood slick" of the cargo could be a hazard to shipping. | The agency said the risk of oil pollution was low, but they were concerned the "wood slick" of the cargo could be a hazard to shipping. |
Windsurfers in the region have been criticised for pursuing their sport among the huge timber planks coming ashore between Selsey Bill and Worthing. | Windsurfers in the region have been criticised for pursuing their sport among the huge timber planks coming ashore between Selsey Bill and Worthing. |
"We think it is madness to go windsurfing among all this wood," said Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman Mark Clark, who said people were causing "quite a lot of problems". | "We think it is madness to go windsurfing among all this wood," said Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman Mark Clark, who said people were causing "quite a lot of problems". |
"With all this wood coming in it does create problems and we do not want any casualties or accidents," he said. | "With all this wood coming in it does create problems and we do not want any casualties or accidents," he said. |
The 10m (33ft) lengths of wood were put on board in bundles, but sea conditions broke many of them apart. | The 10m (33ft) lengths of wood were put on board in bundles, but sea conditions broke many of them apart. |
Leaked oil | Leaked oil |
Representatives of the government, police, councils, the ship's owners and salvors have met to discuss how to minimise the impact of the cargo or leaked oil. | Representatives of the government, police, councils, the ship's owners and salvors have met to discuss how to minimise the impact of the cargo or leaked oil. |
The 6,395-ton Ice Prince sent out her initial emergency call at about 1900 GMT on Sunday. | The 6,395-ton Ice Prince sent out her initial emergency call at about 1900 GMT on Sunday. |
Rescuers battled gale force winds and rough seas with 16ft (5m) swells to remove the vessel's crew. | Rescuers battled gale force winds and rough seas with 16ft (5m) swells to remove the vessel's crew. |
Twelve were airlifted to Portland, Dorset, and eight others taken by lifeboat to Brixham, Devon. | Twelve were airlifted to Portland, Dorset, and eight others taken by lifeboat to Brixham, Devon. |
The 328ft (100m) ship finally sank at about 0045 GMT on Tuesday in 9ft (2.7m) waves and strong winds. | The 328ft (100m) ship finally sank at about 0045 GMT on Tuesday in 9ft (2.7m) waves and strong winds. |
All timber sighted must be reported to Solent Coastguard by telephoning: 02392 559021 or 02392 559022. | All timber sighted must be reported to Solent Coastguard by telephoning: 02392 559021 or 02392 559022. |