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Stricken cargo ship back in port

Salvage crews have managed to board a huge cargo ship stranded on the Solent after it was deliberately ran aground.

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First of 1400 cars are off-loaded from rescued ship

For sale - nearly new 4x4 Credit: PA

The first of the hundreds of cars which made up the cargo of the rescued car carrier Hoegh Osaka have started to be off-loaded.

Four tugs towed the 51,000-tonne ship back into Southampton Port last Thursday after it had become stranded for a total of 19 days off the Hampshire coast.

Some of the vehicles are noticeably damaged Credit: PA

A spokesman for ship owners Hoegh Autoliners said that most of the cars had survived unscathed, while some had suffered dents and scratches.

An excavator had shifted punching a hole in the hull causing 3,000 tonnes of water to flood some of the car decks. The spokesman said that the condition of cars in this area was not yet known although "a small number" were under water.

1400 cars and agricultural machinery were on board Credit: PA

They were unloading the cargo for most of today, that involved driving the vehicles off, primarily the cars, some Minis and Land Rovers, but not much of the heavy equipment has moved off yet.

"They are expecting the full discharge process to be finished by the end of this week or by early next week depending on how quickly they can get them off.

– Hoegh Autoliners spokesman
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Stricken cargo ship back in port

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