DATELINE: 28 October 2002

SOUTH COAST DIVERS WARNED OF TIMBER HAZARD

Several tonnes of timber jettisoned by stricken cargo vessel Bothnia Stone into the English Channel and Tor Bay are still afloat, and could pose a hazard to small vessels such as dive boats.
Brixham Coastguard issued the warning after gale force winds had forced the Cypriot-registered vessel to ditch much of its cargo into the sea en route to safe haven in Torquay harbour. Already, substantial quantities of timber have washed ashore and recovered by local boats, after some 1,000 cubic metres was lost in the Channel and another 200 tonnes dumped directly into Tor Bay.
A number of unrecovered timbers are still afloat in the area, and local sea users are urged to proceed with caution.