[Oberon]

Nice choice of thread title

Maltese-flagged tanker, carrying 44,000 tons of fuel oil, has collided with a cargo ship off the south coast of Britain in the English Channel, the authorities said Friday. The tanker, Shakhdag, with 21 people on board, suffered minor damage to her stern but was able to proceed to the port of Portland, in the county of Dorset in south-west Britain. The cargo vessel, Willy, with 13 crew on board, suffered midships damage. The vessel was travelling from Amsterdam and is believed to be heading for the Manchester area in northern Britain. A Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) spokesman said: 'One of our helicopters is taking a marine surveyor to the Willy so the ship can be inspected.' 'No one was hurt in the incident and there were no reported leaks from the tanker.' The incident will be investigated by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.