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Fears of a potential fuel leak are growing after a cargo ship ran aground near Colwyn Bay in North Wales last night.

The vessel was loading limestone from a quarry jetty in gale force winds and 16ft waves when it was driven aground onto the beach of Llanddulas, which is lined with concrete dolosse blocks.

Coastguards were today working to refloat the 270ft-long cargo ship Carrier amid fears its 40,000 litres of fuel could leak.

Salvage and counter-pollution experts have been assessing the damage to the ship. According to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the ship is still in one piece, but there are growing concerns over fuel leakage.

The MCA added that it was not clear why Carrier, registered in Antigua and Barbuda, ran aground.

MCA Statement

Statement issued by the MCA on 4th April

At 8.15 last night Liverpool Coastguard received a distress call from the cargo ship Carrier telling them they had run aground at Raynes Jetty, Llanddulas.

A strong gale was blowing and a five metre swell was reported. Because of the location of the grounding Holyhead Coastguard coordinated the rescue. All seven of the Polish crew were taken uninjured from the ship by two rescue helicopters (the first from RNAS Prestwick, the second from RAF Leconfield).

The A55 was closed to allow the rescue services safe access to the vessel. Coastguard Rescue teams from Rhyl and Llandudno offered assistance to the rescued crew whilst the RNLI lifeboats from Llandudno and Rhyl launched.

The vessel is now resting against concrete dolosse blocks on the beach at Llanddulas, which runs adjacent to the A55. Coastguard Rescue Officers, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance and Police are currently on scene with the Highways Agency. Salvage and counter pollution experts will be on site in the morning.