Tanker runs aground

An unladen chemical tanker has gone aground in storm conditions off Torbay, coastguards said yesterday. The 22,000-ton Santa Anna - from Greece, but registered in Panama - dragged an anchor and went aground on the seaward side of Thatcher's Rock, Devon, said Portland coastguards. The vessel, carrying a crew of 29, was still sound and in clean ballast.

The Santa Anna went aground in rough seas and winds gusting to more than 50mph. She was carrying clean ballast, but also 200 tonnes of fuel oil and 50 tonnes of lubricating oil.

The Marine Pollution Control Unit had been informed and was monitoring the situation, said coastguards. There were no plans yet to take any of the crew off the vessel.

The crew are understood to be Spanish, and the boat had been moored in Torbay.