Large hole found in side of stricken ship
Surveyors examining the damaged cargo ship Horn Cliff, which nearly capsized in a storm off Ireland, have found an 18-inch hole in its side, the coastguard said today.
The 13,000 tonne vessel is presently anchored in Falmouth Bay, Cornwall, after the storm that left her captain seriously injured when the ship lurched violently from side to side in the force 10 gale that hit on Friday.
She lost 90 containers during the drama but that let the ship return upright during what one passenger said was a horrible experience.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyor has boarded the vessel to carry out an initial assessment and assist the crew.
A spokeswoman said: "The vessel has an 18-inch hole on its port side and there has been some water ingress. Ballast water was pumped out of the ship today to bring the hole clear of the water.
"The ship has lost its anchor and work has been carried out today to moor the ship as securely as possible.
"Heavy duty mooring equipment has been supplied to the vessel and has been deployed.''
Severe weather is forecast for tomorrow with storm force winds, so work will be hampered until the weather improves.
Yesterday morning the captain and six passengers were airlifted by Royal Navy helicopter after the RAF failed to rescue them on Friday evening in force nine gales.
The captain had suffered spinal injuries and internal bleeding during the storm.
One woman passenger suffered head injuries and a German man suffered a broken shoulder and broken ribs when they were thrown across the floor of the ship's bridge when three waves hit the ship.
The injured were taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske and three, including the captain, are still there today.
