A MAJOR recovery operation was underway this morning after a ship began leaking sewage and sank in the Solent.

The vessel - The Humber Star - had four tonnes of red diesel on board and several hundred tonnes of effluent, and sank around 5.30am this morning.

Exactly how much effulent and red diesel has leaked out is not know, but it is not believed to be a huge amount.


style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map

Environment agency, coastguard and port bosses have all been informed and are involved in the operation, just off Victoria Road.

Scores of people are watching the drama from the shoreside in Weston.

Police were notified at around 8.30am and it is believed efforts are under way to salvage the ship which was also carrying diesel.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the barge was stationary alongside Woolston jetty when she sunk early this morning.

The 45m vessel, owned by a Cheshire-based shipping firm, was carrying effluent and 800 gallons of red diesel.

The spokesman confirmed red diesel had leaked into Southampton Water and that plastic anti-pollution booms had been deployed to contain the spillage.

"The booms are heavily soaked which would suggest that there was quite a lot of diesel came out. However, it will dispense quickly and we do not believe it will cause hazard to the shoreline."

The MCA, the national response body for marine pollution responses, said it had been alerted at 5.40am. A member of the public dialled 999 at 8.45am to report a disgusting stench wafting across Hythe.

Divers were sent down to inspect the 40-year-old barge by ABP shortly after 9am to inspect the damage and begin the task of retrieving it.

Southern Water, the Environment Agency and the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch, which will examine why the barge sunk, are attending the scene.

Captain Philip Holliday, Southampton harbour master, said: "At about 5.30 this morning the MV Humber Star, which is on charter to Southern Water and carries what is politely called grey water - that means effluent - was alongside the West Jetty on the Itchen and for reasons as yet unknown she sank alongside.

"The stern is sitting on the bottom and she's up at an angle with the bow poking in the air. It is only a few metres of water so the stern is still visible.

"She has been operating in these water for some time - why it has happened now we will find out in time. There was no one onboard at the time it sank."

Mr Holliday also added that there will be an investigation once the vessel has been salvaged.

Can you see the vessel? Send us any pictures or video you may have by click here.