The vessel Norstar, berthed at the Detached Mole, has been engaged to act as a holding barge for the dredged material arising from the dredge of Ocean Village basin.

During the late evening of the 17th November, having loaded some 4000 tonnes of dredged material, there was a shift of cargo affecting the stability of the vessel resulting in the vessel adopting a heel of around 18°. The crew of the vessel, apart from the master and chief engineer, have been evacuated.

The owners of the vessel are arranging technical advice to rectify the situation and surveyors are expected to attend this morning.