DEAD Man's Cove between Cawsand and Samways beach has become the scene of a desperate battle to salvage the 3,000 tonne tanker, MV Willy.

The Cypriot registered, German owned petrol carrier, drifted on to rocks no more than 200 yards from the village of Kingsand, at 11.45pm on New Year's Day. It had dragged its anchor in a force seven gale, blowing south easterly and, powerless with engine failure, became a victim of the elements and rocky coastline.

After the rescue of all 12 seamen, who included the captain, Murlat Sebastian, by the Tamar Coastguard crew, attention turned to the inhabitants of Kingsand. It had became clear, that although the tanker had already offloaded its cargo of petrol in Plymouth, there was a danger of explosion from the vapours of 37 tonnes of gas oil and 55 tonnes of heavy fuel oil still on board.

Police evacuated residents in the immediate vicinity and between 5-6am on Wednesday, some 150 people had been re-located to the Kingsand Community Hall at the top of the village. By then the council's emergency planning procedures had already swung into action.

Yesterday there was increasing concern for the coastline's special environment as the vessel, now holed, began leaking diesel which was forming a slick. Rame Head is a site of Special Scientific Interest, and the nearby Tamar Estuary is a Special Area of Conservation. Emergency booms to try and protect the area were being prepared for use if needed.

The rocky area on which the MV Willy is wedged comes under the protection of the Mount Edgcumbe Joint Committee. Park Manager Ian Berry closed the coastal footpath above, while the situation was being monitored, and joint chairman, Sherryl Murray of Millbrook, also the county councillor for the area, said resources were available if needed.

Mrs Murray praised the work of all the emergency services involved, and said that typical of Kingsand and Cawsand, everyone had pulled together. 'The community spirit has been wonderful' she said.

It had been hoped residents could return to their homes by 5pm on Wednesday evening, but although earlier in the afternoon pumps had been put on board the tanker to try and clear away gas vapours, the risk of an explosion still remained until further checks. It was hoped these could have been carried out around midnight but rough weather made the task impossible.

Some residents took their safety into their own hands and returned home, while others found refuge with relatives, or were cared for at the Whitsand Bay Hotel, this was arranged by Caradon Council. As of yesterday afternoon the official go-ahead still had not been given for villagers to return to their properties.

At 2pm on Thursday the vessel, now taking on water, was boarded by 15 salvage experts assessing the conditions. It was decided a salvage pontoon would arrive in the bay today, but it would take a while to refloat the vessel, as each of its tanks would have to be pressurised individually. It was thought pulling the tanker off the rocks would cause further damage.

Police were waiting to hear if they could give residents the all clear to return to their homes.

The Queen's Harbour Master at Plymouth, Cmdr Shaun Turner, has had the responsibility of co-ordinating the operation, and has now been joined by Government representative, Secretary of State for the Environment, Robin Middleton. Meetings have been held throughout the emergency, involving all the various agencies. All decisions, involving explosion risk, environmental concerns and salvage, have been hampered during the last 36 hours of the emergency by the poor weather.

A number of visitors, enjoying the New Year in Cawsand and Kingsand, were caught up in the drama. Visitor Nick Grammel was out walking his boxer dog, Henry, about 10.30pm, after he and his family had enjoyed a drink in the Rising Sun public house. His wife, Sally, on holiday from Surrey with their five children, said he had seen the