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NEWS
Sea-faring Land Rovers scuttled
Grounded ship strands 1400 Jaguar, Land Rover, MINI and JCB vehicles en route to export marketsBritish media reports a 51,000-tonne transport vessel carrying 1400 vehicles ran aground late last week just north of the UK's Isle of Wight.
On the ship's manifest were 1200 units of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, 65 MINIs and 105 JCB earthmoving vehicles.
According to the reports, the vessel was bound for the Middle East, but an unspecified problem – not human error – drove the crew to ground the Hoegh Osaka on the Bramble Bank in the Solent Strait rather than allow the vessel to capsize. Since January 3, the Hoegh Osaka has been stranded on the bank, listing 45 degrees to starboard.
Salvage crews initially advised that the vehicles are still secure within the ship's hull and there appeared to be little damage done. A subsequent report from the BBC indicates that damage to the vehicles may be severe, although that was surmised by marine salvage expert Captain John Noble, who has not actually inspected the consignment.
Noble ruled out waiting for the tide to come in and re-float the ship, which can carry as many as 5400 vehicles.
"The tidal option is no longer possible as it is clear she is hard and fast where she is," he was quoted saying in the BBC report.
Noble says that ballast is no use either, due to the degree of list. Dredging under the ship seems the best option at this stage.
Ingar Skiaker, chief executive of Hoegh Autoliners, praised the ship's crew for taking prompt and appropriate action once the ship had begun to list.
"Our vessel developed a severe list shortly after she left port and the pilot and the master took the decision to save the vessel and its crew by grounding her on the bank.
"This showed great skill and seamanship on behalf of our crew when faced with such challenging circumstances.
"At this stage it is too early to speculate on the cause of the list but we are starting an immediate investigation.
"Right now we have serious work ahead of us in order to free the vessel from the Bramble Bank without disrupting the flow of traffic in and out of the Port of Southampton.
"An investigation is ongoing as to what occurred last night and that is being conducted by the MAIB [Marine Accident Investigation Branch]."
The crew of 25 were evacuated with just one minor injury incurred. Jaguar Land Rover has told the media that the vehicles on board are covered by insurance.
Picture courtesy of Geni/Wikimedia Commons
Written byCarsales Staff
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