Large Container Vessel Aground in Dover Strait

A large container vessel ran aground in the Dover Strait this morning, Dover Coastguard has sent the Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel, Anglian Monarch to render assistance and assess the situation.

At 5am Dover Coastguard were in contact with the German registered container vessel LT Cortesia after Coastguard radar monitoring of the traffic separation zone indicated she had come to a sudden stop close to the Varne Bank. The crew confirmed that the vessel had run aground on the Varne Bank.

The LT Cortesia is a large container vessel of 90,465 Gross Tonnes and was traveling through the Dover Strait in the South West bound lane from Thames Port on route to the Suez when she ran aground on the Varne Bank 9 miles South of Dover harbor. The vessel has 27 people on board who are all uninjured. Crew members are checking for damage on board but the cargo is reported to be secure and early indications are that the vessel is watertight. There is no reported pollution from the vessel.

The Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel, Anglian Monarch is on scene to help evaluate any external damage to the vessel and assess the options for salvage of the vessel. Dover Coastguard and the Anglian Monarch will warn any approaching vessels of the potential navigation hazard posed by the LT Cortesia while she is aground.

The LT Cortesia is carrying 42,785 Tonnes of cargo in containers.

Net News Publisher