- Cargo vessel Islay Trader ran aground near Margate Harbour, Kent, on Sunday
- The ship came within feet of an iron statue by sculptor Anthony Gormley
- A coastguard spokeswoman said the risk to the environment was ‘very low’
A 75-metre cargo ship full of broken glass has run aground off the Kent coast – narrowly missing a statue by sculptor Anthony Gormley.
Shortly after 3am on Sunday the UK Coastguard received reports that the cargo vessel Islay Trader had dragged anchor and run aground near Margate Harbour between 30m and 50m.
The ship came within feet of a life-sized iron statue by the Turner Prize-winning artist.
Close shave: A 75-metre cargo ship full of broken glass has run aground off the Kent coast – narrowly missing a statue by sculptor Anthony Gormley
A Coastguard spokeswoman said that the fuel tanks had not been damaged and the risk to the environment was ‘very low’.
She added that a tug was being organised to refloat the vessel, which is registered in Barbuda.
She said: ‘There is no risk to life and the crew remain on board in preparation for an attempt to refloat and tow the vessel to safety around midday on Sunday, with the next high water (2.30pm).
‘The ship’s agent has arranged for a tug from Medway, which is due to arrive late this morning.
The ship came within feet of a life-sized iron statue by the Turner Prize-winning artist (pictured)
‘The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s counter pollution and salvage officer is working with the vessel’s shipping agents during the recovery operation and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch have been informed.
‘The Secretary of State’s representative for salvage and intervention has been informed and is monitoring the situation.
‘The Islay Trader is a Barbudan-flagged 75-metre general cargo vessel with six crew on board and carrying a cargo of broken glass.
‘There is no pollution or damage to fuel tanks, and the risk of pollution is assessed to be very low.’
Cast from Gormley’s own body, the self-portrait is part of the artist’s Another Time series, and is positioned in front of the town’s Turner Contemporary gallery.
It’s one 100 across the UK, which are identical to the 100 sculptures from Gormley’s 2007 work Another Place.
At high tide, the sculpture is completely submerged in the sea while at low tide it is visible from the museum’s balcony.
A Coastguard spokeswoman said that the fuel tanks had not been damaged and the risk to the environment was ‘very low’