Thursday, January 22, 2009

Wood Chopper

Holy helicopters! I see my old chums at ITN have got their big, blue, throbbing chopper up to cover all the wood we've got down our front! Is there no limit to the innuendos that can be had from this story!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOOD WASHED ASHORE FROM SINEGORSK

People are being urged to stay away from the Thanet shoreline, where timber is being washed ashore and are being warned not to remove any of the timber.

The response to the situation is being coordinated through Thanet District Council, Kent Police, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Kent County Council, with Kent Police authorised by the Receiver of Wreck to act on her behalf. People failing to comply with their directions could be committing an offence and may be arrested, and failure to report recovery of timber to the Receiver of Wreck is a criminal offence, on conviction, you may be fined up to £2,500.

The timber, which came from the cargo ship Sinegorsk in the English Channel , began washing ashore on beaches around Ramsgate and Broadstairs following the strong southerly winds overnight. Warnings have already been issued from the police that stealing the timber is a criminal offence. Beaches where the timber has been washed ashore have been closed to vehicles and officers from Kent Police and Thanet District Council are patrolling these areas to keep people away from the timber for their own safety. Contractors have been appointed by the Insurers to recover the lost cargo.

A timber reporting line has been established by Kent County Council. Any member of the public sighting washed up timber cargo are requested to call 08458 247247.

Area Commander for East Kent , Chief Superintendent John Molloy, said: 'We are working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and our partner agencies to make the beaches safe. I would like to remind people that the shoreline can be a dangerous place, particularly with the current poor weather and people could be putting themselves at an unnecessary risk by venturing into the sea to salvage the timber. This cargo remains the property of the original owner and to steal it is not only foolhardy, but also a criminal offence.

"Whilst I appreciate that this sight is not commonplace and people may wish to take a look, we ask that they do this from a safe distance and leave the timber alone. Where appropriate, we will also take action against those who create a nuisance, park dangerously or trespass. Anyone who does venture to the shore to look should park their car considerately so that emergency vehicles could gain access to the area should they be required."

Leader of Thanet District Council, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: "Council officers are down at the affected beaches with colleagues from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the police. It's really important that people stay away from the coastline at the moment. Having been down to check the scene for myself, I know how poor the weather conditions are right now and anyone who tries to get near the timber will be putting themselves at risk. We'd also like to echo the warnings that the police have already given out to anyone thinking of removing timber from the beaches."

Alison Kentuck, Receiver of Wreck, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: "This timber still belongs to its original owners and it's not a case of finder's keepers. Anybody who does recover any timber must report this to the Receiver of Wreck or they are committing a criminal offence. Report forms are available on the MCA website - www.mcga.gov.uk"

Under Sections 236 and 237 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995: an offence would be committed: where a vessel is wrecked ... any person (who) conceals or keeps possession of any such cargo or refuses to deliver any such cargo or article to the receiver. It is also an offence of failing to report the wreck to the receiver.


ENDS

Cheryl Pendry
Press and Media Manager
Thanet District Council
www.thanet.gov.uk

Anonymous said...

I cannot see any appointed contractor clearing the relevant sections of beach. The lack of access and the comings and goings of the tide make the clearance of timber located from Ramsgate through to North Foreland prohibative. Good luck to any enterprising soul, far better off the beach than out to sea and a hazard to small boats.

Anonymous said...

The only interesting thing in the entire statement is discovering that TDC have a press and media manager. The something about money and old rope springs to mind.

I did several trips down to three beaches throughout the day and the atmosphere was good natured and fun with locals clearing a few bits of timber with no" approved contractor" in site . each time the timber goes in and out it does more damage and gets more damaged , people clearing it up is a win win situation .

Come on Cheryl chill out ,and get yourself down to the beach and gather enough timber for that compost bin you have always wanted

Anonymous said...

I got a lot of timber today mainly thick short planks. When I got it home I discovered I had accidently brought back Cllr Ezekiel , come on it is an easy mistake to make ! .

Unknown said...

Cheryl? Hello???
'the situation is being coordinated'

I'm aware that you work for TDC, so therefore I ask the following questions...

i)Do you actually know where Ramsgate is?

ii)or ever even been to Ramsgate??

iii)in particular this evening???

I would suggest clearly not, as after 9pm Thanet's coastline was buzzing with timber laiden trucks.

Thankfully without one single reprsentative from TDC, Kent Police, Maritime & Coastguard & KCC, and not mention of the Receiver of Wreck in sight. (clearly he was busy in Cossoville this evening).

I shall, of course, be a law abiding citizen & as you have requested will be reporting a 'sighting of washed up timber cargo' as soon as I can be arsed. Which will probably be sooner than the Contractors will get there.

I look forward to seeing an abundance of hand made wooden gifts for sale in the local area very soon. Which hopefully may make some well earned dosh for some of the 'above average percentage' unemployed population around here.

Bloody good luck to the Looters, it's a long seated local tradition & I'm delighted to see it back in action!

Tally ho!