From MCA
VESSEL ABANDONED AND DRIFTING MID CHANNEL
At just before midnight last night it was confirmed to the Coastguard at Brixham that all 20 crew had now abandoned the `Ice Prince which has is presently drifting and listing at 40 degrees to port. The stricken vessel has some navigation lights showing and some partial upper deck lights.
Twelve crew, including a 41 year old Greek national with a broken leg, were airlifted by the Coastguard helicopter late yesterday evening to Portland whilst the RNLI Torbay and Salcombe lifeboats took off the remaining 8 crew.
All were dressed in life jackets and immersion suits. A few minor injuries were reported in the evacuation of the vessel including bumps and bruises. The crew taken off by helicopter have been found some accommodation in the Torbay area whilst the injured man has been taken to Dorchester Hospital.
The French Coastguard tug Abeille Liberté is now on scene and has taken over from the warship `Cumberland in standing by the vessel. There are no plans to try and put a line on the `Ice Prince by the tug until first light this morning. The crew of the tug are reporting to the Coastguard hourly on the vessels condition. Some cargo has been lost to the sea but in the darkness it is unclear as to the quantity. The French Coastguard is broadcasting warnings sea area to alert other shipping.
The sea state locally is reported to be a five metre swell with winds gusting to force 8.
The Agencys counter pollution team has been alerted that 313 metric tonnes of intermediate fuel oil are held in bunkers on board the vessel. The Agencys on duty Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer and the Secretary of States Representative in Maritime Salvage and Intervention are closely monitoring developments, and a decision on the fate of the vessel will be made later today.
Earlier yesterday evening Brixham Coastguard had received an emergency call that the general cargo vessel, the Greek registered, 6395 ton, `Ice Prince was in difficulties mid channel. The vessel was plotted to be 35 miles south east of Start Point.
The vessel which was heading for Alexandria has 5258 metric tons of sawn timber on board which has shifted and the ship was listing at the time to 25 degrees.
Salcombe and Torbay RNLI all weather lifeboats were immediately requested to launch, and an emergency pan pan signal was broadcast into the area by the Coastguard warning other shipping of the `Ice Prince and her predicament. This signal was also picked up by the warship `Cumberland which stood by the Ice Prince throughout the evening.
The Ice Prince is reportedly rolling heavily in the very poor weather.
The Master informed the Coastguard that he also had a crewman who was in need of urgent medical attention after he had broken his leg in the darkness on board the vessel. A Coastguard rescue helicopter India Juliet from Portland, which had been put on standby, as the incident unfolded was immediately scrambled to the vessel.
