Damaged chemical ship MSC Flamina cleared to sail
Sunday 02 September 2012
Printable
EmailA damaged chemical container ship being held 30 miles off the Cornish coast is expected to set sail under tow today for Germany.
The MSC Flaminia, which caught fire in the mid-Atlantic on July 14, was inspected by a team of six salvage experts who found it safe to be towed, coastguards said.
One crew member died in the incident and another is "missing presumed dead."
The stricken 85,000-tonne vessel was laden with a cargo of 2,876 containers, 149 being classed as dangerous goods, according to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
An MCA spokeswoman said: "While the MSC Flaminia suffered considerable damage environmental assessments have shown no pollution.
"An international independent inspection team, with representatives from the UK, France and Germany, went on board the vessel last Tuesday."
She added inspectors were "completely satisfied" that the vessel is in a "safe and stable condition" to make the five day journey to Germany.
If you appreciated this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep developing your paper.
Editorial
Disregard for human life
Nothing will bring back the hundreds of British soldiers killed fighting in Iraq at Tony Blair's behest.
Features
Cameron's G8 house of cards
Under a modicum of scrutiny the PM's international 'achievements' quickly unravel
A strategy for our victory
The Con-Dems have had it their way too long. We have to turn this country around