TANKER RUNS AGROUND

Coastguard was contacted on 1 January 2002 after the Cypriot vessel ‘Willy’ ran aground at Cawsands, near Plymouth. The vessel had been anchored in Cawsands Bay after discharging a cargo of petrol in Plymouth.

Because of the potential danger of an explosion on the 3,000 tonne fuel tanker, dozens of people were evacuated from their homes and a half-mile exclusion zone was imposed around the vessel after a crack developed in the tanker's hull and there was a possibility it could split in two.

Coastguard press officer Wailim Wong said the tanker was embedded on rocks it is hoped at high tide to attach cables to stabilise her.

Cables were attached to stop the vessel moving about on rocks and possibly creating a spark. The main concern was the possibility of an explosion caused by fumes in the empty tanks.