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Shipwreck timber littering coast Shipwreck timber littering coast
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of pieces of timber have been washed up on the beaches across southern England after a cargo ship sank off the Dorset coast. Beaches along the south coast of England will remain closed indefinitely to prevent looters taking away more than 20,000 tonnes of washed-up timber.
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 wood, several feet deep on the tide line, is from the Greek-registered Ice Prince which sank about 26 miles (42km) off Dorset after a storm last Tuesday.
The Greek-registered Ice Prince sank about 26 miles (42km) off the coast after a storm last Tuesday. Beaches along the Sussex coast from Ferring as far east as Hastings have been littered with the timber.
More than 2,000 tonnes of timber have drifted 100 miles through the Channel. Dover Coastguard said it was likely more would wash up on Kent's beaches.
Solent coastguard said timber had washed up all the way from Littlehampton in West Sussex to Beachy Head in East Sussex. West Sussex County Council (WSCC) said its beaches, which were the worst affected, would be out of bounds to the public for the foreseeable future.
He said: "What's there on the beach will stay until it is removed by contractors authorised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The salvage operation is being carried out by contractors authorised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
"Any other wood in the Channel will move to and fro with the tides."
See the "wood slick" In pictures: Sinking shipScavengers' wood warningSee the "wood slick" In pictures: Sinking shipScavengers' wood warning
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. WSCC said there were unconfirmed reports of minor damage to sea defences.
Dover coastguard used an aircraft on Monday to assess how far the timber had travelled.
West Sussex County Council said there were unconfirmed reports of minor damage to sea defences.
It said people taking the wood had become a "serious problem".It said people taking the wood had become a "serious problem".
A spokesman said: "Lots of people have been turning up, including men in vans taking a load - a significant number of people."A spokesman said: "Lots of people have been turning up, including men in vans taking a load - a significant number of people."
Sussex Police have issued a warning to say removing the timber is unlawful, and if people continue to take the wood, they could be liable to prosecution and arrest under the Merchant Shipping Act.Sussex Police have issued a warning to say removing the timber is unlawful, and if people continue to take the wood, they could be liable to prosecution and arrest under the Merchant Shipping Act.
Safety warningsSafety warnings
The Marine Conservation Society warned on Monday that 313 tonnes of fuel oil remained on the vessel and required urgent removal.
However, it said the fuel tanks appeared at present to be still intact.
"The Ice Prince lies adjacent to a commercial fishery for flatfish species such as plaice and sole, and seabirds such as razorbill and guillemot," said a spokesman.
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".
Mariners, windsurfers and canoeists have been warned that the floating wood could cause a serious accident.Mariners, windsurfers and canoeists have been warned 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.