Bid to salvage abandoned storm ship

The Greek-registered Ice Prince is still listing heavily and drifting around 33 miles off the south Devon coast.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman Fred Caygill said salvors were on the way to the abandoned vessel, and it was hoped they would try to take it in tow around mid-morning.

It has not been decided where the stricken ship will be taken, said Mr Caygill, adding: "It depends where we can get her in."

He said the French tug Abeille Liberte was standing by the vessel, which still had a 40-degree list and was drifting east.

Regular warnings to shipping were being broadcast from Coastguard stations, he said.

Lifeboat and helicopter crews staged a rescue after the vessel got into difficulties in high winds and the crew abandoned ship amid fears it might capsize after its cargo shifted.

A Portland Coastguard helicopter, India Juliet, airlifted 12 of the crew, including a 41-year-old Greek man with a broken leg, while the remaining eight were taken to safety by two volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews from Torbay and Salcombe.

They battled gale-force winds and rough seas with 16ft (5m) swells to evacuate the men in a mission one lifeboatman described as a "once-in-a-career" rescue.

The operation was co-ordinated by Brixham Coastguard in co-operation with the French authorities.