Looks as if GAS ARCTIC (IMO 9008483, Teesport & Tetney for Portland) had been pottering along on the northern edge of the SW lane at 8-9 knots and was apparently hit up the backside by SPRING BOK (IMO 8213677, Rotterdam for Oranjestad) rollicking along at twice the speed, about 6nm SSE of Dungeness. AIS shows SPRING BOK at an remarkable 22kn passing Dover and over 20kn abeam Dymchurch at 0940UTC. Collision about 1000-1020UTC.
They stayed together stationary for about 1½ hours and were joined by HMS TYNE. About 1300 GAS ARCTIC resumed voyage to Portland, and SPRING BOK left the area, also for Portland, about an hour later at a stately 8kn. Both arrived Weymouth Bay yesterday morning, and are still there. Looks as if GAS ARCTIC rafted up with local bunkering tanker SARA for a while, while SPRING BOK berthed at Portland
