News - 18/08/26

Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) responded swiftly to reports of a vessel experiencing difficulties and subsequently sinking in the River Medina, taking immediate action to ensure the safety of navigation and minimise any potential environmental impact.

During the evening of Saturday 15 August, CHC was alerted by HM Coastguard to a vessel experiencing difficulties while being taken towards Trinity Landing. The vessel was made safe before being towed further down the River Medina to Silo Creek, where it was secured to piles to prevent it from becoming a hazard to other harbour users.

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s regional Counter Pollution & Salvage Officer (CPSO) was notified and CHC continued to closely monitor the vessel following its relocation.

Unfortunately, the vessel continued to take on water and was subsequently found to have sunk. CHC immediately activated its Emergency Plan and Oil Spill Response Plan, with the relevant authorities and organisations notified.

As a precautionary measure, an orange inflatable pollution boom was deployed around the vessel to contain any potential oil or fuel released from the wreck and prevent it from spreading into the wider harbour.

The boom has been secured using two anchors to ensure it remains correctly positioned. An emergency wreck-marking buoy has also been deployed to clearly identify the eastern extremity of the wreck and assist in maintaining safe navigation within the area.

Harbour Master, Captain Jon Kidd, said:

“The safety of harbour users, the protection of the environment and the maintenance of safe navigation are our immediate priorities whenever an incident such as this occurs.

“Our team responded quickly, working closely with HM Coastguard and the relevant agencies to secure the vessel and take appropriate measures as the situation developed.

“Following the vessel’s relocation to Silo Creek, it unfortunately continued to take on water and subsequently sank. We have since put robust safety and environmental protection measures in place, including the deployment of a pollution containment boom and an emergency wreck-marking buoy.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and are working with the vessel’s owners, insurers and the relevant authorities to progress the removal of the wreck as soon as practicable, and continue to maintain communication with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s Counter Pollution & Salvage Officer. ”