The car carrier MV Hoegh Osaka ran aground on Bramble Bank in the Solent around 21:30 GMT on Saturday. The crew of 28 was rescued and there are currently no reports of pollution. The ship was bound for Germany when she went aground. Hoegh Osaka is 590′ (180m) long and can carry 2,520 cars or 450 trucks. The ship has rolled to approximately 45 degrees. Were this another time, it might appear that the ship had been grounded for carreening. Salvage operations are being planned. Video after the page jump.
The Hoegh Osaka Ship Ran Aground Off the Isle of Wight at Bramble Bank in the Central Solent
Thanks to Alaric Bond and Phil Leon for contributing to the post.
Bramble Bank is well known and well marked. What happened to piloting? Now this vessel is blocking the Solent.
Initial reports were that she is out of the channel. Whether there was mechanical failure or pilot error remains to be determined. She looks like it will take more than a flood tide to get her off.
The ship was grounded on purpose. As soon as the ship left port, it started to list to starboard, increasing to a dangerous 45 degree angle, when it was decided to ‘careen’ the ship on the Brambles, in order to prevent the ship of capsizing.