PUMPING is continuing around the clock to prevent a former Royal Navy warship from sinking in the river Tees.

Officials from the Environment Agency have been battling to stabilise the TS Kellington after it was vandalised last weekend.

The rusting minesweeper, owned by Stockton Sea Cadets, is listing at its mooring on the Tees.

Experts are using two six-inch pumps working throughout the night to pump water out of the hull.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “The pumping appears to have reduced the angle by which the ship is listing. The aim is to make the ship stable enough for contractors to go on board and seal the leak in the hull.

Environment management team leader, Graeme Hull, added: “We have been pumping round the clock and have managed to remove quite a lot of water.

“The ship is still leaking but the large pumps are beating that and it appears to be in a better position than it was yesterday.”

  The emergency operation has been a partnership between the Environment Agency, Stockton Borough Council, British Waterways, the Marine Society, the vessel’s owners, the Stockton Sea Cadet Unit, and their contractors Able UK Limited.

  The council has already sealed off the quayside near the Kellington and will provide security over the weekend. The Riverside car park will be closed from Tuesday onwards.

  As a precaution, the Environment Agency and British Waterways worked together to put booms around the vessel, to contain any contamination. British Waterways provided boats and manpower and Environment Agency officers have been using absorbent pads to soak up any oil which may be leaking. They also have a mobile oil interceptor, which filters out oil from water pumped from the vessel.

  Northumbrian Water has given permission for the water pumped out of the Kellington to be discharged into its sewers.

  Once the cadets’ contractors are able to safely gain access the recovery of the vessel is expected to take around six weeks. This work will be monitored by the Environment Agency.

  The ship has been out of use for some time and had been due to be dismantled later this year.