A video has been released showing a cargo ship that has been grounded in the Solent strait that separates the south coast of England and the Isle of Wight after it began to capsize.
The BBC reported CEO of Hoegh Autoliners, Ingar Skiaker as saying that the Hoegh Osaka vessel was run aground off the Isle of Wight on Saturday evening after developing problems once it had left Southampton.
The car transporter had only used a third of its total capacity and was reportedly carrying 1,400 cars before it capsized.
The ship is now listing at more than 50 degrees, with a salvage operation anticipated to last for several days.
Mr Skiaker said: “We know the vessel was leaving Southampton with some cargo on board and while navigating out of the channel she apparently had a list.
“The captain and master and the pilot on board decided jointly to put the vessel on the sandbank to avoid any more serious problems.
“There has been no leakage of any oil or any other substances and that's our primary focus obviously now going forward, that we keep it that way.”
He said the vessel was considered to be stable and that his company was working closely with their appointed salvage company, Svitzer, to “prepare for a safe and successful salvage of the vessel with minimal disruption to the port and it environment.”
(Video) Cargo Ship Capsizes in UK. (Source: Pugracer285 (YouTube))