Taking Ships Cargo Arrestable Offence.
Jan 17th, 2008 | By Island Pulse | Isle of Wight News From The Island Pulse
News just in suggests the Isle of Wight could see some of the 2,000 tonnes of timber that drifted away from the Ice Prince, which sunk off the Dorset coast, wash up on the Island coastline.
Police have been authorised by the Receiver of the Wreck to act on her behalf, and anyone removing cargo from beaches could be committing an offence for which they could face arrest and a fine of up to £2,500.
Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 it is both an offence to conceal or keep possession of such cargo, or to fail to report it.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are warning members of the public who find any timber on the coastline resulting from the incident that they must report the sighting to Solent Coastguard.
Contractors are in place to remove the timber from the beaches, and therefore if anyone should sight cargo washing ashore they are advised to telephone 02392 559021 or 02392 559022 and contractors will be on scene to initiate its recovery.
The RSPB fears oil leaks from the sunken vessel may drift east in the Solent, under current control measures that are in place any birds or wildlife found dead should be reported immediately to the RSPCA on their emergency number 03001234 999 who will respond appropriately.
Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.
