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Oil Tanker Runs Aground Off The Needles

Photos from NCI.

Attempts will be made to refloat a 144 metre oil tanker, which ran aground off The Needles this afternoon (Monday).

Liberian-flagged 'MT CHEM ALYA' was reported to have ran aground at 4.20pm.


Photo from NCI.

It had encountered trouble on the treacherous Needles shingle bank west of the Isle of Wight.

The vessel was travelling between Fawley and Egypt.


Photo from NCI.

Needles Coastwatch Institute (NCI) were able to  monitor the ship.

NCI’s watchkeeper said:

"We called HMCG (HM Coastguard) before the ship called in that she was aground.  

“HMCG could then see her stationary on AIS and was calling the ship for an update on status before she called in her status herself.”

The vessel is said to be safe and undamaged.


Photo from NCI.

Attempts will be made to refloat it on tomorrow (Tuesday) morning’s high tide at 2am.

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