Live updates as a 200m long cargo ship collides with a barge in Dover waters

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A 200-metre long cargo ship has reportedly collided with a barge full of rocks at Samphire Hoe this morning.
The incident, just off the coast at Dover, has been declared as "major" and locals have reported seeing the coastguard out in action.
The ship is reported to have lost engine power and is taking on water. Some of the crew are being evacuated with 20-30 people believed to be on board
It has not yet been confirmed if severe weather caused by Storm Angus played a part in the incident.
Stay with us for live updates regarding this ongoing incident:
Last Update : 2016/11/20 11:28
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  MCA release statement
Here's a statement from the Marine Coastguard Agency in full:
Two Coastguard search and rescue helicopters have been sent to evacuate the crew after a cargo vessel collided with a stone barge three miles south west of Dover.
The call from the vessel came into the UK Coastguard at around 7.20 this morning (November 20), reporting it had lost power and steering.
Bad weather conditions have meant the cargo vessel has drifted onto the Varne Bank and is taking on water. It’s understood there are 23 people on board.
The situation remains under close monitoring by the UK Coastguard and all crew are currently being taken off.
Dover and Dungeness lifeboats have also been sent and are standing by the vessel.
Deal and Dover Coastguard Rescue Teams have been put on standby to help receive crew members rescued from the vessel.
Duty commander Steve Carson said, "The weather conditions this morning are particularly challenging and we have declared this a major incident. We are now in the process of evacuating the crew from the cargo vessel and our HM Coastguard helicopters from Lydd and Lee-on-Solent are on the scene."
  11 people rescued, reports say
Unconfirmed reports suggest that 11 people onboard the Saga Sky have been rescued this morning.
  First picture from the scene
In a first picture from the scene near Samphire Hoe the Saga Sky appears to be sinking below the choppy waters.
  Lifeboats still on the scene
According to website Vesseltracker.com, which tracks the exact coordinates of vessels at sea, both the RNLI Dungeness and Dover lifeboats are still on the scene.
  Vessel stats
The Saga Sky was built 20 years ago - in 1996 - and is said to carry general cargo.
It is 199.2 metres long by 30.57 metres wide.
  Weather thought to be the cause
Extreme weather brought on by Storm Angus is thought to be the cause of today's incident.
An RNLI spokesman told our sister publication the Mirror: "We were requested to launch to go to the aid of the Saga Sky.
"We know they had difficulty anchoring it because of the weather."
Kent Live understands that the RNLI will release a full statement regarding the incident shortly.
Keep up to date with all the latest weather developments across Kent at our live blog here: Live updates as Storm Angus batters Kent
  Helicopter on the scene
Lifeboat crews from Dover and Dungeness and the coastguard helicopter are in the process of evacuating the crew onboard the vessel.




Huge cargo ship taking on water after storm collision off Kent coast

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The ship is grounded off Samphire Hoe 

A major rescue operation is underway off the coast of Dover after a 200 metre cargo ship hit a barge of rocks.
A coastguard helicopter and lifeboat crews are in the process of evacuating 23 people on board the Saga Skye.
It's believed the ship, from Hong Kong, suffered engine failure and was buffeted onto the barge of rocks early this morning.
You can read the latest from the UK Coastguard here.



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The 200 metre ship is taking on water 

A tugboat is reportedly traveling from France to pull it away from the shore.



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Samphire Hoe on a less stormy day

http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/2016-11-20/huge-cargo-ship-taking-on-water-after-storm-collision-off-kent-coast/