Following the grounding of the MV `Lagik’ last week the Secretary of States Representative in Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), Robin Middleton, yesterday issued a Direction to the ship owners to agree a salvage plan for the ship.

A provision within the Merchant Shipping Act (1995) allows the SOSREP to issue a Direction to ships, owners or harbour authorities requiring them to take action where a disabled vessel represents an implicit threat to the UK coastline. Failure to comply with such a Direction can constitute a criminal offence.

On the 14^th December the counter pollution team from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency were mobilised after the Antiguan general cargo vessel `Lagik' became stuck across the River Nene at Port Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire.

The vessel had travelled from Norway and was due to unload its cargo of steel at Port Sutton Bridge. It is 92.4m long, 11.3 m wide and with a full load of cargo has a potential weight of 2,500 tonnes.

The vessel was being turned at the time of the incident and her stern became stuck on the river bank opposite. As the tide was falling at the time the resulting stress on the ship cracked the ships side by way of the engine room and hatch bulkhead. Further cracks have now appeared. The ship took water into the engine room and some light diesel seeped out.

At the time of the accident the vessel was carrying a cargo of steel and she has 27,000 litres of diesel oil on board; 1600 litres of lubricating oil and 400 litres of hydraulic oil on board. However the lubricating and hydraulic oils are secure, in addition to almost all of the diesel oil.

Late on Friday evening only around six litres of oil were seen floating on the surface of the River Nene after an MCA surveillance flight and throughout the time the vessel has been stranded experts have been monitoring the vessel to assess its potential damage.

Alison Dehrmann. Principal Counter pollution and Salvage Officer for the Maritime & Coastguard Agency said today:

" The vessel is still blocking the River Nene with the Port of Wisbech currently closed, and with vessels being diverted to other local ports including Sutton Bridge and Kings Lynn. There were no commercial vessels at Wisbech at the time of the incident.

" Every care is being taken to ensure that the small amount of oil which leaked from the vessel does not cause any local damage to the environment and we are working very closely with environmental organisations and local authorities.