Barge sinks in harbour

The barge was moving silt from the harbour

A barge which was being used to take silt away from St Sampson's harbour in Guernsey has sunk to the bottom of the harbour fully loaded.

It is thought workers may have miscalculated the vessel's cargo capacity.

Members of the public also said they have seen a second barge finding it hard to cope with its load and ending up listing to one side and partially submerged.

Work has been under way since early Friday morning to salvage the boat which sank. The vessel failed to refloat on the incoming tide.

Deputy Dave Jones said questions have to be asked about the about why the incident was allowed to happen.

Deputy harbour master Tony Pattimore has refused to comment on the cause of the incident.

The contractors, Miller and Baird, have said they are not allowed to talk about why the barge became submerged.