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Shipwreck timber surrounds coast | Shipwreck timber surrounds coast |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Thousands of pieces of timber have now been washed up on the beaches across southern England after a cargo ship sank off the Dorset coast. | |
Coastguards said the timber, several feet deep on the tide line, now stretched along the Sussex coast and was moving east towards Kent's coast. | Coastguards said the timber, several feet deep on the tide line, now stretched along the Sussex coast and was moving east towards Kent's coast. |
The Greek-registered Ice Prince sunk about 26 miles (42km) off the coast after a storm. | The Greek-registered Ice Prince sunk about 26 miles (42km) off the coast after a storm. |
More than 2,000 tonnes of timber have drifted 100 miles through the Channel. | |
Solent coastguard said timber had washed up all the way from Littlehampton in West Sussex to Beachy Head in East Sussex. | |
Safety warnings | Safety warnings |
He said: "The tide goes in an out every six hours. | He said: "The tide goes in an out every six hours. |
"What's there on the beach will stay until it is removed by contractors authorised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. | "What's there on the beach will stay until it is removed by contractors authorised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. |
"Any other wood in the Channel will move to and fro with the tides." | "Any other wood in the Channel will move to and fro with the tides." |
He said coastguards were unable to predict where timber in the water would drift, because it could depend on whether it was affected by the wind. | He said coastguards were unable to predict where timber in the water would drift, because it could depend on whether it was affected by the wind. |
See the "wood slick" In pictures: Sinking shipScavengers' wood warning | See the "wood slick" In pictures: Sinking shipScavengers' wood warning |
Dover coastguard used an aircraft on Monday to assess how far the timber had travelled. | |
Worthing beach was closed at the weekend to allow heavy machinery to remove the washed-up cargo. | Worthing beach was closed at the weekend to allow heavy machinery to remove the washed-up cargo. |
Wendy Knight, from Worthing Borough Council, said the ship's owners had appointed contractors to find a market for the timber which would then be sold. | Wendy Knight, from Worthing Borough Council, said the ship's owners had appointed contractors to find a market for the timber which would then be sold. |
Barriers and cordons were being erected along the beach, with "public safety the key element". | Barriers and cordons were being erected along the beach, with "public safety the key element". |
West Sussex County Council issued an urgent plea to mariners, windsurfers and canoeists because of concerns that the floating wood could cause a serious accident. | West Sussex County Council issued an urgent plea to mariners, windsurfers and canoeists because of concerns that the floating wood could cause a serious accident. |
The 10m (33ft) lengths of sawn wood were put on board in bundles, but sea conditions broke many of them apart. | The 10m (33ft) lengths of sawn wood were put on board in bundles, but sea conditions broke many of them apart. |
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. |