WIREDGOV

Yarmouth Coastguard have been warning leisure boaters and regular marine traffic to a significant amount of lost cargo from the 79 metre Norwegian registered vessel ‘Sally’ in heavy seas off the east coast of the UK. The cargo loss is about 55 miles due east of Lowestoft and the vessel was travelling from Sweden to the UK. The vessel has a crew of 6 on board.

The weather forecast is presently of north westerly winds of force 6 to gale force 8 occasionally severe gale 9, eventually decreasing to 4 or 5. The seas are described as rough or very rough and there are squally showers locally.

The vessel will be bound for Shoreham once the weather abates and marine surveyors from the MCA's Southampton office have been alerted to the ships imminent arrival.

The Coastguard have been liaising with the Dutch counterparts as to the location of the planks which floating on the surface or just below could present a threat to lighter, smaller vessels travelling from the Continent back to the UK or vice versa. The UK Hydrographic office have also been informed.

Mario Siano, Watch Manager at Yarmouth Coastguard said

"Individual planks if they come adrift of even larger bundles may not present too much of a threat to larger vessels in the regular shipping lanes, but impacting on smaller craft and certainly leisure vessels may cause significant damage, hence our broadcast warning today. We are working with the Dutch Coastguard and their aerial surveillance aircraft in order to plot the location of the patches of wood as they move south on the tidal drift, although there is of course a danger in heavy seas the bundles could split and cause the wood to raft together creating a bigger 'patch'. We will continue to monitor their movement as the weather and tide changes. We will also maintain surveillance of the vessel until she has resolved her problem. We have also alerted the Agency’s counter pollution unit to the situation."

Notes to Editors

• The MCA is a partner in the Sea Vision UK campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the sea and maritime activities. Sea Vision promotes the importance and economic value of the sector and works to highlight the exciting range of activities and career opportunities available to young people within the UK growing maritime sector. www.seavisionuk.org

• • Stay safe - before heading out on the water get trained, check weather and tides, wear a lifejacket, avoid alcohol and keep in touch

• Follow us on Twitter. Find us at MCA_media

Contacts:

Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office
Phone: 023 8032 9401
NDS.MCGA@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Mark Clark.
Phone: 023 8032 9414
Mobile: 07711 002678
mark.clark@mcga.gov.uk