UPDATED WITH PHOTO GALLERY: The Isle of Wight Council is advising members of the public to stay away from a section of beach at Sandown as a precautionary measure while removal is undertaken of a 36ft motor cruiser which ran aground overnight.
The wrecked vessel has started to leak oil and fuel onto the beach, although the pollution is being contained (pictured left).
In a short while contractors acting for the council are expected to drag the boat up the beach before breaking it up.
The incident is being investigated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Isle of Wight Council (from a shoreline management perspective).
Recreation and public spaces manager, Lee Matthews, said:
“This is a precautionary measure while the condition of the vessel is investigated, its removal undertaken, and with a view to containment of any fuel present.”
UPDATE @ 17:30 – Thanks to the efforts of contractors, Brighstone Landscaping, the Isle of Wight Council and HM Coastguard the vessel has been pulled to safety and now sits above the high water mark.
A 1939 former Army gun carrier has been used to winch the boat – thought to weigh around 14 tonne – across the sand with great success.
Members of the public should keep their distance from the vessel, which remains unsafe. A cordon has been established around the boat and a section of the beach while the salvaging company deal with the removal of the vessel, and contractors ensure the beach is fully cleared.
It is hoped, but not certain, that the vessel will be removed from the beach later today.
Lee Matthews has this evening said:
“We are continuing to cordon off an area and advise the public to stay clear until the vessel has been removed from the beach, and the section of beach has been given the all clear for public use.
“It is hoped this will be completed as soon as is safely achievable and all statutory parties are satisfied.
“I would like to thank all parties involved in the operation for their co-operation.”
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