A ship which is fully laden with gravel has grounded in the River Arun, in the entrance to Littlehampton Harbour.
The coaster, Mungo, which has six people on board contacted Solent Coastguard at 3.20 pm to report that it had run aground and was beam onto the entrance of the harbour. Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team has been sent to the scene and Shoreham RNLI lifeboat has been requested to launch and provide safety cover for the vessel. The Portsmouth Coastguard Sector Manager is also in attendance. A commercial tug is on its way to the vessel.
Solent Coastguard Watch Manager Alan Waters says:
There are four crew and two pilots on board the vessel. None of them have sustained injuries and all will remain onboard for the time being. Once the tug has arrived on scene we will reassess the situation in conjunction with the Littlehampton Harbour Master.
[mappress]
Source: MCA, August 18, 2011