Ship Ran Aground Near The Needles

At 1pm yesterday a 90-metre cargo vessel ran aground near the Needles.

In an attempt to get it moving, ballast water was pumped off, to lighten the ship.

The Needles - Jon CurnowNeedles Coastguard Rescue Team kept and eye on it from a look at at the Needles. Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat has a vessel standing-by too.

PA reported that British-flagged, 2,990-tonne vessel, Paula C, was on its way to Cowes.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency had a quote from Tony Wheeler, Solent Coastguard Watch Manager, “The vessel is likely to remain aground until around midnight tonight when we hope that it will float off on the high tide. There are nine people onboard. All are safe and well and will remain on the vessel. We are in contact with the ship and its agent.”

Latest
Looking at live shipping data, it appears that ship was able to free itself as it’s currently at anchor in the Solent near Northwood.

MCA release
PA coverage

Image: curns under CC BY 2.0