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Sailors 'gain from stricken ship' Sailors 'gain from stricken ship'
(about 6 hours later)
Sailors have taken advantage of a stricken ship by illegally cleaning their engines where it sunk, a wildlife rescue service has said. Sailors have taken advantage of a stricken ship by illegally cleaning their engines where it sank, a wildlife rescue service has said.
Trevor Weeks, of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue, thinks tankers hope the oil spillages will be blamed on the Ice Prince vessel, which sank off Dorset.Trevor Weeks, of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue, thinks tankers hope the oil spillages will be blamed on the Ice Prince vessel, which sank off Dorset.
About 60 dead birds covered in oil were found off the Isle of Wight and dozens have waded ashore since the ship sank.About 60 dead birds covered in oil were found off the Isle of Wight and dozens have waded ashore since the ship sank.
Officials said only a light coat of oil had been found around the vessel.Officials said only a light coat of oil had been found around the vessel.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) spokesperson said its engine space contained 423 tons of intermediate fuel oil and 123 tons of marine diesel oil, still intact.A Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) spokesperson said its engine space contained 423 tons of intermediate fuel oil and 123 tons of marine diesel oil, still intact.
"The type of oil that we are seeing covered on the birds that are coming ashore is not the sort that was on board the Ice Prince when she sank," Mr Weeks added."The type of oil that we are seeing covered on the birds that are coming ashore is not the sort that was on board the Ice Prince when she sank," Mr Weeks added.
"It seems obvious that captains have illegally washed their engines at sea to save money by avoiding the cost of doing it in port but, in the process, have affected sea birds.""It seems obvious that captains have illegally washed their engines at sea to save money by avoiding the cost of doing it in port but, in the process, have affected sea birds."
Beaches closedBeaches closed
The Greek-registered ship went down about 26 miles (42km) off Portland on 15 January.The Greek-registered ship went down about 26 miles (42km) off Portland on 15 January.
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 the time to be still intact.However, it said the fuel tanks appeared at the time to be still intact.
Some beaches along the south coast of England remain shut after 2,000 tonnes of timber from the ship washed ashore.Some beaches along the south coast of England remain shut after 2,000 tonnes of timber from the ship washed ashore.
The beaches, from the Sussex coast at Ferring as far east as Hastings, have been closed to prevent looters helping themselves to the wood, which is several feet deep on the tide line.The beaches, from the Sussex coast at Ferring as far east as Hastings, have been closed to prevent looters helping themselves to the wood, which is several feet deep on the tide line.
Worthing beach is the worst affected.Worthing beach is the worst affected.
A salvage operation is being carried out by contractors authorised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).A salvage operation is being carried out by contractors authorised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).