A general cargo vessel that ran aground of the Kent coast in the UK over the weekend has been successfully re-floated.
The 2,386-dwt Islay Trader (built 1992) ran aground on Sunday at 03:00 local time after dragging its anchor near Margate Harbour.
But by 14:20 the same day it was re-floated on the next high tide with the aid of a tug, and towed to deeper water.
The UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said that at no time was there any risk to life and the crew remained onboard in preparation for salvage efforts.
“There is no pollution or damage to fuel tanks, and the risk of pollution is assessed to be very low,” the MCA said at the time of the grounding.
The Barbados-flagged Islay Trader, which has a crew of six on board, is reported to be carrying a cargo of broken glass.
“ The vessel will now conduct a survey to assess its suitability for onward passage to Belgium, where it will offload its cargo and then enter a dry dock in order to conduct a full inspection,” the MCA said.
The Secretary Of State’s Representative for Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP) is said to have been informed of the incident and is monitoring the situation.
