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Shipwreck timber littering coast | Shipwreck timber littering coast |
(20 minutes later) | |
Beaches along the south coast of England will remain closed indefinitely to prevent looters taking away more than 2,000 tonnes of washed-up timber. | |
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 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. |
Beaches along the Sussex coast from Ferring as far east as Hastings have been littered with the timber. | Beaches along the Sussex coast from Ferring as far east as Hastings have been littered with the timber. |
Dover Coastguard said it was likely more would wash up on Kent's beaches. | Dover Coastguard said it was likely more would wash up on Kent's beaches. |
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. | 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. |
The salvage operation is being carried out by contractors authorised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). | The salvage operation is being carried out by contractors authorised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). |
See the "wood slick" In pictures: Sinking shipScavengers' wood warning | See the "wood slick" In pictures: Sinking shipScavengers' wood warning |
WSCC said there were unconfirmed reports of minor damage to sea defences. | WSCC 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 warnings | Safety warnings |
The Marine Conservation Society warned on Monday that 313 tonnes of fuel oil remained on the vessel and required urgent removal. | 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. | 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. | "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. |