Coastguard and lifeboat crews were last night (Saturday) involved in dramatic rescue after a cargo ship grounded in the Solent at around 9.20pm.
A car carrier heading for Germany, the Heogh Osaka, became grounded on Bramble Bank – somewhere more commonly known for its summer cricket matches (and Morris dancing outings) and was reported as listing at 45 degrees.
Major rescue operation
The search and rescue mission was co-ordinated by the National Maritime Operations Centre at Fareham.
Along with the Coastguard, RNLI lifeboats from Calshot, Yarmouth and Cowes were involved in the rescue of 25 crew members, three of which remained on the vessel to assist with salvage operations.
All crew were off the ship and accounted for by the early hours of the morning.
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No life-threatening injuries
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed that some crew members were airlifted off the ship by Coastguard helicopter and others were rescued from the sea by the three lifeboats that were on scene.
Once rescued from the listing ship, the crew were taken to a survivor reception centre at MCA Daedalus. The Hillhead Coastguard Rescue Team and Mission to Seafarers both involved in assisted the crew.
Steve Carson, National Maritime Operations Centre Commander says:
“All of the crew have been accounted for and other then a couple of non life-threatening injuries, everyone is safe and well.”
Update 9.48am:
Keith Allso advises that lines are currently being attached to the grounded ship.
Update 10.35am:
Thanks to Graham Reading for this additional photos of the grounded ship.
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Dave Miller from Cowes sent in this photo of a busy seafront as onlookers watch the grounded ship from the shore.
Images: © With kind permission of Keith Allso and Graham Reading Photography
