Small boats warned of timber threat

A tug helps the badly listing Bothnia Stone

Small boats have been warned by Devon coastguards to watch out for floating timber dumped by a cargo ship in stormy seas at the weekend.

The Cypriot-registered Bothnia Stone developed a dangerous 45-degree list after taking on water in a force nine gale off south Devon.

But after unloading more than 1,000 cubic metres of wood into the English Channel she managed to make it into Torquay Harbour, accompanied by the Plymouth lifeboat and a rescue helicopter.

Brixham coastguard watch manager Rodger Brimacombe said: "We are warning shipping of the dangers posed by the timber."

Scavengers

Another 200 tonnes of timber was jettisoned into Torbay on Saturday, to improve the ship's stability in the severe storms.

But a small fleet of local boats was sent out to recover the timber which was brought ashore and taken into safe storage.

We are warning shipping of the dangers posed by the timber

Coastguard

An added problem has been caused by scavengers risking their lives in an attempt to gather up some of the timber as it washes up on the coast.

Brixham coastguard and the police had to attend Meadfoot beach after receiving reports that people were venturing into the stormy seas to gather the wood.

A coastguard spokesman said that although the seas were slightly calmer at this point on the coast, it was still a potentially dangerous activity.

The spokesman said: "We sent some people round to Meadfoot along with the police to give people information that it is dangerous, not only because of the waves, but because of the temperature of the water.

"We also informed them that if they did take any of the timber, they had to report it to the Receiver of the Wreck."

Divers have completed an underwater inspection of the hull of the Bothnia Stone and they found no damage, or sign of any pollution from the Swedish-based vessel.

Torquay Harbourmaster Kevin Mowat said: "The Bothnia Stone does not represent any greater risk than any other ship at anchor in Torbay."