Drama in the Bay

The 77,000-tonne Mariella had drifted to within 200 metres of the shore in Bowleaze Cove at Preston.

The coastguard emergency tug Anglian Earl towed the ship to safety yesterday in a three-hour rescue operation involving Portland Coastguard, Weymouth lifeboat and the coastguard helicopter.

The empty chemical tanker hit difficulties off Weymouth after her anchor began to drag in high winds.

A Portland Coastguard spokesman said it was decided that the 29 crew should stay on board while the ship was towed to safety.

He said: "It was very close to the shore in the end, within 200 metres of Bowleaze Cove.

"But it's all sorted. We're smiling now."

The vessel was due to be berthed on the deep water quay at Portland Port.

Portland Coastguard rescue co-ordination centre manager Mark Rodaway said: "The vessel came to within 60 yards of going aground and had less than a metre of water under the hull at the time of attaching the tow.

"Units reported it was a close-run thing that the vessel did not ground given the prevailing swell conditions and wind conditions exceeding 50 knots."

Mr Rodaway said he was grateful to the variety of organisations and individuals, who at short notice ,scrambled to become involved in the operation, co-ordinated by Portland Coastguard. They included the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and its contractors, notably the crew of Anglian Earl.

Mr Rodaway added: "In addition, crew and staff from Weymouth RNLI, Weymouth Harbour, Portland Port, Dorset Police, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, Dorset Ambulance, Dorset Emergency Planning Office, Weymouth and Portland Emergency Planning Office, were either actively engaged or were pro-actively contingency planning.

"Our grateful thanks are due to all for the safe delivery of the vessel to the port."

A gale warning had been issued earlier, with warnings of severe gales in the area during the afternoon and into the evening.

Several other vessels also sheltered in the bay from the strong winds.