Coastguards at Walton called in emergency services and put other vessels in the area on mayday alert after an 84 metre long cargo ship started sinking in rough seas off Clacton.

Both Walton and Harwich lifeboats were launched Sunday evening along with a rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham and a tug was called in from Harwich.

The Cypriot vessel Nordfeld radioed for help after it was listing at 70 degrees in force six to seven north-westerly winds.

The vessel - with seven people on board - was bound for Liverpool from Latvia with a cargo of timber.

However, the quick-thinking master jettisoned 300 tonnes of the load in a bid to save the ship.

His decision managed to reduce the list by around 30 degrees and the coastguards were told that the danger of sinking had been averted.

John Mayston, watch manager at Thames Coastguard at Walton, said at that stage the mayday was downgraded and the rescue units returned to their stations.

The vessel then continued through the Dover strait and Dover Coastguard monitored her progress.

The drama started at around 9.30pm Sunday evening when the first call was received from Nordfeld, about 42 miles east of Clacton.

Coastguards asked all other vessels in the area to help out and various ships, including Atlantic Liberty, responded.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's own counter pollution unit was also informed of the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch was made aware of the incident.

Mr Mayston said: "I would like to thank all the rescue units who responded to our call so promptly."

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