The Maritime and Coastguard Agency have this morning issued guidelines to members of the public who find timber on the coastline resulting from the sinking of the 100m cargo vessel Ice Prince approximately 26 miles south south-east of Portland Bill on Tuesday morning.

All timber sighted must be reported to Solent Coastguard by telephoning:

02392 559021
or
02392 559022

The MCA statement goes on to say:
‘Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 it is both an offence to conceal or keep possession of such cargo, or to fail to report the cargo.
‘Police have been authorised by Receiver of Wreck to act on her behalf, and people removing cargo from the beach could be committing an offence for which they could face arrest and a fine of up to £2,500.
‘Contractors are in place to remove the timber from the beaches, and therefore if anyone should sight cargo washing ashore they are advised to telephone the above numbers and contractors will be on scene to initiate its recovery.’