FISHING VESSEL AGROUND ON LIZARD PENINSULA SAFELY ARRIVES IN PORT

The French fishing vessel which ran aground on the eastern side of the Lizard Peninsula last week, has now safely arrived at Falmouth Docks.

 

At just after 11pm last Wednesday (28 August), the vessel Scuderia contacted Falmouth Coastguard reporting that they had run aground at Lankidden Cove, between Cadgwith and Coverack. The Porthoustock Coastguard Rescue Team and the RNLI lifeboat from Lizard were sent to the scene, but it was not possible to refloat the vessel.

 

The five crew members on board were not hurt, but one of the vessel’s fuel tanks was damaged, with the loss of approximately 10 tonnes of fuel. A boom was put around the vessel to contain the leaking fuel.

 

Salvors were appointed to stabilise the vessel, remove the remaining fuel on board and recover the vessel. It was successfully refloated at 3pm yesterday afternoon with the aid of buoyancy bags, with no further reports of any pollution.  Overnight, it was securely moored to a buoy off Falmouth until a berth became available. It was lifted from the water this evening, and will now undergo inspection and repairs before being released.

 

Simon Porter, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer, said:

 

"We have been working with the salvage company, insurers and partner agencies to limit the impact on the local environment. Leaking fuel was contained in the surrounding area.  We are delighted to see the vessel returned safely to harbour.”

 

Cornwall Council leader John Pollard said:

 

"Staff from the Council’s environment, public health and protection and emergency management services have worked extremely hard with colleagues from IFCA , the Environment Agency and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to prevent our coastline being affected by the fuel leaking from this boat."

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