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Crew rescued from stricken tug off Devon coast Boat sinks after stricken tug crew rescued off Devon coast
(about 1 hour later)
Eight crew members have been rescued from a tug off the Devon coast after it was holed by the ship it was towing. A boat that collided with a tug as it was being towed has sunk off the Devon coast.
The Christos XXII, which contains about 200 tonnes of diesel, was holed off Hope's Nose, off Torbay. The eight-strong crew of the tug Christos XXII, which contains about 200 tonnes of diesel, had to be rescued as they towed the decommissioned vessel.
Two lifeboats, the Exmouth and Torbay, and two naval ships, including HMS Lancaster, were sent to the scene. The tug was holed off Hope's Nose, off Torbay.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the pumping of water from the vessel was going well and so far there were no reports of pollution. Divers are onboard the Christos assessing the damage and deciding how to repair the 40cm gash in the hull, according to the Coastguards.
The crew was taken off by lifeboat. An inflatable pollution control boom will be used to contain any diesel spillage. Earlier during the rescue, two lifeboats, the Exmouth and Torbay, and two naval ships, including HMS Lancaster, were sent to the scene.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the pumping of water from the Christos was going well and so far there were no reports of pollution.
An inflatable pollution control boom is being used to contain any diesel spillage.
Wooden pegsWooden pegs
The MCA said salvage experts were onboard the vessel and divers had been deployed to inspect and repair the hole.The MCA said salvage experts were onboard the vessel and divers had been deployed to inspect and repair the hole.
The incident started at about 21:30 GMT on Sunday when the 70m (230ft) tug, which was towing an empty hull from Germany to Turkey, slowed to check a problem with the tow and was struck on the port side.The incident started at about 21:30 GMT on Sunday when the 70m (230ft) tug, which was towing an empty hull from Germany to Turkey, slowed to check a problem with the tow and was struck on the port side.
The water level in the vessel's engine room is dropping.
Earlier two pumps were used to remove the water, now only one remains.
The vessel the Christos XXII was towing is stable but is listing to 30 degrees.
The plan is to tow both vessels to safety when they are stable.
A gash nearly 40cm (16in) long was opened up and the ship began to take on water.A gash nearly 40cm (16in) long was opened up and the ship began to take on water.
Crew members tried to plug the tear with wooden pegs and pump the water out.Crew members tried to plug the tear with wooden pegs and pump the water out.
The Christos sent a Mayday call which was picked up by Brixham coastguards who have been co-ordinating the rescue. The Christos sent a Mayday call that was picked up by Brixham coastguards who have been co-ordinating the rescue.
The two lifeboats have been at the scene with HMS Lancaster and the navy vessel HMS Severn. A second tug, the MTS Vulcan, was also standing by.The two lifeboats have been at the scene with HMS Lancaster and the navy vessel HMS Severn. A second tug, the MTS Vulcan, was also standing by.
A third tug, the Brent, was sent to the scene in an attempt to see if the Christos could be towed to safety.A third tug, the Brent, was sent to the scene in an attempt to see if the Christos could be towed to safety.
A helicopter from RMB Chivenor was used to bring salvage pumps to the scene.A helicopter from RMB Chivenor was used to bring salvage pumps to the scene.
Peter Davies, from Brixham coastguard spokesman said the operation was continuing.Peter Davies, from Brixham coastguard spokesman said the operation was continuing.
"Things have improved significantly since the early hours. It's carrying about 200 tonnes of diesel. Certainly the indications are from the salvage company that things are progressing well," he said."Things have improved significantly since the early hours. It's carrying about 200 tonnes of diesel. Certainly the indications are from the salvage company that things are progressing well," he said.