Expensive Grounding in the Solent

From our reporter on the spot Anni Ruecroft (Wightlink Steward)

The Car Carrier Hoegh Osaka on her Starboard side seen here last week aground in the Solent
photo by Anni Ruecroft

This is the Hoegh Osaka car carrier.
She developed a severe list very shortly after leaving Southampton on January 3rd and was deliberately grounded by her Southampton pilot on the Bramble bank just off Cowes as she was in imminent danger of capsizing.
She refloated herself a couple of days later and is currently being held firm(ish) by tugs until the weather improves.
This is an incredibly unusual sight in the Solent and nothing like this has ever happened here in my lifetime.
Happy to report that all crew were safely evacuated by local lifeboat and coastguard helicopter.
She is carrying 30 million pounds worth of BMW's, Mini's, Land Rovers and construction vehicles such as diggers.
Thankfully there has been no pollution so far but one of the tugs did crash into it in yesterday's high winds.
I thought I would share this as it's very unusual here.

This is the Hoegh Osaka car carrier.

She developed a severe list very shortly after leaving Southampton on January 3rd and was deliberately grounded by her Southampton pilot on the Bramble bank just off Cowes as she was in imminent danger of capsizing.

She refloated herself a couple of days later and is currently being held firm(ish) by tugs until the weather improves.

This is an incredibly unusual sight in the Solent and nothing like this has ever happened here in my lifetime.

Happy to report that all crew were safely evacuated by local lifeboat and coastguard helicopter.

She is carrying 30 million pounds worth of BMW's, Mini's, Land Rovers and construction vehicles such as diggers.

Thankfully there has been no pollution so far but one of the tugs did crash into it in yesterday's high winds.

I thought I would share this as it's very unusual here.

For more on the story see the BBC Website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-30673439