| 'Gudermes'
was on route from Dover to Africa with a load of 26,000 tonnes of fuel
oil and 26 crew on board. The collision happened at the South
foreland, north of Dover.
The tanker is a 32,000 tonne vessel
and the collision caused a gash 20 ft x 6ft in the port bow, 10 ft
above the water line. The tank, which was ruptured in the incident,
has lost 110 tonnes of oil into the water. The remainder of the oil
has been transferred elsewhere within the vessel. The fishing vessel
is Boulogne registered and was not damaged. It is currently making its
way back to the French Coast.
The Secretary of State's Representative for Salvage and Intervention (SOSrep)
has requested that the tanker anchors off Dover where damage can be
assessed and repairs carried out.
The leak has now stopped and the pollution is dispersing. A
surveillance aircraft from Lydd is observing the scene and the
Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel (tug), Anglian Monarch is one cable
(200 yards) away.
Les Drew, Watch Manager said, "Conditions on scene for this
operation are good with southerly light airs and good visibility with
a slight haze.
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