News

A 200 foot long crane barge with fuel oil on board which was in danger of sinking in the English Channel was grounded on a beach near Dover today (8 May), coastguards said.
 

Dover Coastguard are currently assisting the tug and barge which is in danger of foundering in Langdon Bay.

The 67 metre barge Goliath which was sinking whilst under tow earlier this morning was on its way to Dover Harbour. It has now been beached between Deal and Kingsdown.
 

An MCA spokesman said: "A coastguard fixed-wing aircraft will be going up later to see if there is any pollution risk but that doesn't appear to have happened."

He added that the crew on board the tug were not injured.

The MCA confirmed later that the barge, which beached between Deal and Kingsdown, presented no threat of pollution.

A spokesman added: "The Dover all-weather lifeboat has now returned to base. Multraship of Holland are now on scene, as the appointed salvors.

"The Sea Alpha tug is 30m off the barge with lines attached to it keeping it secure and as the tide rises the barge will be dragged towards the beach."

The weather forecast for the area is southerly winds increasing to gale force 8 with squally showers and rough seas.