Crew Grounded Stricken Ship After Capsize Risk

A 51,000-tonne car carrier was grounded on a sandbank on purpose by its crew because it was severely listing and could have capsized.

The pilot and master were praised by the ship's owner for "saving" the vessel and crew by grounding the ship, and showed "great skill".

Experts will spend the next few days on board the 180-metre long Hoegh Osaka and look at how to try to right the vessel and then refloat her. The salvage operation could take weeks.

The ship, carrying cargo including 1,400 cars and 70-80 pieces of construction equipment, ran aground between Southampton and the Isle of Wight in one of the country's busiest shipping lanes.

Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State's Representative in Maritime Salvage and Intervention, said salvers would look at whether the cargo had moved and the implication for the operation to refloat the vessel.

The 24 crew members and pilot were rescued by a coastguard helicopter and lifeboats after the vessel became stricken on Bramble Bank in the Solent on Saturday night.

Two of the crew were taken to hospital with minor injuries, including one who is believed to have a broken leg.

The Singapore-registered ship started severely listing shortly after it left port in Southampton and is still listing "quite badly" at 52 degrees.

It will be "quite difficult" for anyone going on board to work on the vessel, according to officials.

They said if the ship had not been grounded then there was "potential for the vessel to capsize".

The cause of the listing is unclear and an investigation is under way.

Experts are focusing on making sure the operation is carried out without harming the environment.

So far none of the 500 tonnes of fuel onboard had leaked, they added.

Ingar Skiaker, chief executive of Hoegh Autoliners which owns the vessel, said: "Our vessel developed a severe list shortly after she left port.

"And the pilot and the master took the decision to save the vessel and its crew by grounding her on the bank.

"This showed great skill and seamanship on behalf of our crew when faced with such challenging circumstances."

A 200 metre exclusion zone has been set up around the ship.