A HUGE cargo vessel almost collided with a life-size Antony Gormley statue yesterday after it ran aground off the Kent coast.
The UK coastguard were called to the scene shortly after 3am after reports that the 75-foot cargo ship Islay Trader had dragged anchor between 30m and 50m from shore.
It came within a few feet of the Antony Gromley cast iron sculpture, which erected in July as part of his ‘Another Time’ series and shows a figure on the chalk bed in front of the Turner Contemporary in Margate, Kent.
A Coastguard spokeswoman said that the fuel tanks had not been damaged and the risk to the environment was “very low” and a tug was being organised to refloat the vessel, which is registered in Barbuda.
She said: “There is no risk to life and the crew remain on board in preparation for an attempt to refloat and tow the vessel to safety around midday on Sunday, with the next high water.
“The ship’s agent has arranged for a tug from Medway, which is due to arrive late this morning.
“The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s counter pollution and salvage officer is working with the vessel’s shipping agents during the recovery operation and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch have been informed.
“The Secretary of State’s representative for salvage and intervention has been informed and is monitoring the situation.
The cargo ship, which was carrying broken glass, eventually managed to move 12 hours after it first ran aground.
“The Islay Trader is a Barbudan-flagged 75-metre general cargo vessel with six crew on board and carrying a cargo of broken glass.
“There is no pollution or damage to fuel tanks, and the risk of pollution is assessed to be very low.”
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