Dover Coastguards monitoring the traffic separation zone noticed LT Cortesia had come to a sudden stop close to the Varne Bank. It was then confirmed that the vessel had run aground on the Varne Bank 9 miles south of Dover harbour. The Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) 'Anglian Monarch' was immediately tasked to render assistance and assess the situation.

LT Cortesia was travelling through the Dover Strait in the South West bound lane from Thames Port on route to the Suez, carrying 42,785 tons of cargo in over 4,000 containers. None of the 27 people on board were injured and after checking for damage onboard it was reported that the cargo was secure, there was no pollution and that the vessel was watertight. The ship went aground close to high tide in reasonable weather but with the prospect of high winds later in the day.

Svitzer Salvage was contracted to attempt a refloating on next high water at 6.33pm the same day. Two Svitzer tugs, the Adsteam Mercia' and 'Svitzer Victory' were dispatched from the Thames and Medway and were joined by the 'Multratug 7' that was in the vicinity. The trio successfully towed LT Cortesia stern first off the sand bank on the evening tide at the first attempt. Anglian Monarch remained on scene throughout the operation to monitor passing traffic and was available to give any additional support if needed.

Once afloat LT Cortesia made its way to a safe anchorage in the Downs, 10 miles East of Dover, under its own power, with the tugs and ETV in attendance. After a thorough inspection by surveyors from the MCA and the vessel's Classification Society Germanischer Lloyd, the ship was allowed to proceed on passage to her original destination two days later.

The new Secretary Of States Representative for Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), Hugh Shaw said, 'We are very pleased that the salvage operation has resulted in such a large vessel being quickly refloated and removed from a potentially very hazardous situation.' Hugh Shaw formally took over the SOSREP post just one day earlier, after several years as deputy to Robin Middleton.

Another potentially serious incident was averted by prompt action by the anchor handling tug 'Anglian Earl' in Weymouth Bay on Thursday 10 January. The 41,766 ton, 228m long Norwegian chemical tanker 'Mariella' was undergoing engine repairs off Weymouth when its anchors dragged in 45 knot winds. Portland Coastguard was alerted and the anchor handling tug Anglian Earl, which was working in the area, sailed immediately to render assistance. Within 45 minutes the powerful tug was making a towing connection.

Mark Rodaway, Portland Coastguard Rescue Co-ordination Centre Manager said, 'The vessel came to within 60 yards of going aground and had less than a metre of water under the hull at the time of attaching the tow. Units on scene reported that it was a close run thing that the vessel did not ground given the prevailing swell conditions and wind conditions which consistently exceeded 50 knots.'

Weymouth RNLI lifeboat was tasked to stand by the ship to take off any non-essential personnel if required and the Coastguard helicopter was scrambled to the scene. Mariella was subsequently towed into Portland deep water port and safely berthed with the assistance of local tugs.

Anglian Earl is owned by Klyne Tugs Ltd, the operators of four Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs), under contract to HM Coastguard. The tug is not one of the regular ETVs but was working on a wreck removal project at the time.

By Jack Gaston