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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Beach shut as timber comes ashore | Beach shut as timber comes ashore |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A Sussex beach has been shut and mariners and water sports enthusiasts are being told to stay clear of the coastline because of washed up timber. | A Sussex beach has been shut and mariners and water sports enthusiasts are being told to stay clear of the coastline because of washed up timber. |
| Large bundles of wood from the sunken cargo ship Ice Prince have come ashore between Selsey Bill and Worthing, with some seen as far as Brighton and Hove. | |
| It went down about 26 miles (42km) off the Dorset coast after being damaged in a storm early last week. | It went down about 26 miles (42km) off the Dorset coast after being damaged in a storm early last week. |
| Worthing beach is closed to the public to allow salvage work to take place. | Worthing beach is closed to the public to allow salvage work to take place. |
| Planks and bundles of timber are reported to be several feet deep on the tide line. | Planks and bundles of timber are reported to be several feet deep on the tide line. |
| Contractors appointed by the Receiver of Wreck are using mechanical equipment to take the timber away in lorries in an operation which is expected to last all week. | Contractors appointed by the Receiver of Wreck are using mechanical equipment to take the timber away in lorries in an operation which is expected to last all week. |
| Worthing Borough Council said barriers and cordons were being erected along the beach, with "public safety the key element". | Worthing Borough Council said barriers and cordons were being erected along the beach, with "public safety the key element". |
| West Sussex County Council has 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 has issued an urgent plea to mariners, windsurfers and canoeists because of concerns that the floating wood could cause a serious accident. |
| People are nicking it and loading it into vans and we are advising against that Mark Clark, MCA | People are nicking it and loading it into vans and we are advising against that Mark Clark, MCA |
| Windsurfers have also been criticised for pursuing their sport among the huge timber planks lost overboard from the ship. | Windsurfers have also been criticised for pursuing their sport among the huge timber planks lost overboard from the ship. |
| "We think it is madness to go windsurfing among all this wood," said Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) spokesman Mark Clark, who said people were causing "quite a lot of problems". | "We think it is madness to go windsurfing among all this wood," said Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) spokesman Mark Clark, who said people were causing "quite a lot of problems". |
| "With all this wood coming in it does create problems and we do not want any casualties or accidents," he said. | "With all this wood coming in it does create problems and we do not want any casualties or accidents," he said. |
| Mr Clark said that in Worthing "great lumps" of wood were coming up onto the beach. | Mr Clark said that in Worthing "great lumps" of wood were coming up onto the beach. |
| Flood defence damage | Flood defence damage |
| "People are nicking it and loading it into vans and we are advising against that," he said. | "People are nicking it and loading it into vans and we are advising against that," he said. |
| "People are also going into the sea to get the timber, which is also madness." | "People are also going into the sea to get the timber, which is also madness." |
| The MCA has warned that anyone who keeps the washed-up timber from the Ice Prince could be arrested and fined up to £2,500. | The MCA has warned that anyone who keeps the washed-up timber from the Ice Prince could be arrested and fined up to £2,500. |
| Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, it is both an offence to conceal or keep possession of such cargo, or to fail to report the cargo. | Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, it is both an offence to conceal or keep possession of such cargo, or to fail to report the cargo. |
| The vessel shed more than 2,000 tonnes of her 5,260-tonne timber cargo. An exclusion zone is now in place around the ship, off Portland Bill. | The vessel shed more than 2,000 tonnes of her 5,260-tonne timber cargo. An exclusion zone is now in place around the ship, off Portland Bill. |
| See the "wood slick" In pictures: Sinking shipScavengers' wood warning | See the "wood slick" In pictures: Sinking shipScavengers' wood warning |
| 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. |
| Solent Coastguard has suggested the timber could float as far as Newhaven and even Beachy Head. | Solent Coastguard has suggested the timber could float as far as Newhaven and even Beachy Head. |
| Police and coastguards have been at some Sussex beaches trying to stop people from taking the cargo, which will be removed by contractors. | Police and coastguards have been at some Sussex beaches trying to stop people from taking the cargo, which will be removed by contractors. |
| West Sussex County Council has also expressed concerns that the sea could throw the timber against shingle banks and groynes, causing flood defence damage. | West Sussex County Council has also expressed concerns that the sea could throw the timber against shingle banks and groynes, causing flood defence damage. |
| The cargo ship was also carrying lubricating oils in the engine space, around 423 tonnes of intermediate fuel oil and 123 tonnes of marine diesel oil. | The cargo ship was also carrying lubricating oils in the engine space, around 423 tonnes of intermediate fuel oil and 123 tonnes of marine diesel oil. |
| Plans to recover oil and 2,742 tonnes of timber still in the ship's hold are being discussed by the owners. | Plans to recover oil and 2,742 tonnes of timber still in the ship's hold are being discussed by the owners. |
| Mr Clark said that the vessel was "not going anywhere" 62 metres under the sea and the MCA was making daily overflights to check for oil. | Mr Clark said that the vessel was "not going anywhere" 62 metres under the sea and the MCA was making daily overflights to check for oil. |
| 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. |