Stricken cargo ship on a collision course with the French coast

BORDEAUX, FRANCE — France on Monday will engage in a last-ditch attempt to salvage a stricken cargo ship in the Bay of Biscay. If the attempt to salvage fails, the vessel is expected to run aground on the French coast on Monday night or Tuesday morning.

The 164-meter-long Modern Express is carrying 3,600 tonnes of timber and digging machines, and has 300 tons of fuel in its tanks.

According to Maritime News, it was travelling from Owendo, in Gabon to Le Havre, in France, when it lost propulsion power in the Bay of Biscay, 200 nautical miles off the southern coast of France.

Rescue vessels tried to tow the ship to port, but rough seas have so far thwarted their attempts.

On Tuesday, the ship started listing at an angle of between 40 and 50 degrees. A distress signal was sent out, and its 22 crew members were promptly rescued by Spanish helicopters, the BBC reported.

A final attempt to tow the vessel will be made on Monday. If it fails, the ship will strike France's southwest coast between Monday night and Tuesday morning, Reuters reported.

Reuters reported there was no sign that fuel was leaking from the Modern Express, but authorities will escort the ship to limit any environmental damage if it runs aground.

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