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Mystery remains over how a boat started sinking in Victoria Basin in Gloucester Docks today.

Officers from the Canal and River Trust, the charity which runs the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal are on site making sure the boat doesn't submerge.

The motor cruiser called French Leave was first reported as sinking at about 8.45am.

Lorraine Grimes works at McColl’s and her son has a boat.

She said: "I walked past it and thought it was quite funny. It’s unusual for that to happen. My son says it looks like it has been stripped and all the weight was on side.

"All the rain gathered in and must have made it worse.”

Phil White, an NHS podiatrist working in Southgate Moorings said: "Our admin team noticed it this morning. They were concerned about the ducks that use this bit of water. They were saying ‘what’s going to happen to the ducklings?’

"They have been watching it gradually sink."

We provided a live blog as events unfolded today. You can see the blog posts below.

Unusual to happen

Lorraine Grimes works at McColl’s and her son has a boat.

I walked past it and thought it was quite funny. It’s unusual for that to happen. My son says it looks like it has been stripped and all the weight was on side. All the rain gathered in and must have made it worse.”

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What else has Gloucester Docks seen recently?

Last year a boat was cast adrift in the middle of Gloucester Docks after the mooring ropes were untied.

you can read more about that here.

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One witness says

Phil White, an NHS podiatrist working in Southgate Moorings said:

Our admin team noticed it this morning. They were concerned about the ducks that use this bit of water. They were saying ‘what’s going to happen to the ducklings?’

They have been watching it gradually sink”

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What is happening now

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Fears over French Leave's fuel tank

Beams have been put around the boat as a precaution over its fuel tank.

Sarah James, Environmental Scientist at the CRT said she saw the boat at 9am when it was faring better:

This happens a lot. The tank could be vulnerable. It depends on the amount of fuel in the tank and the amount of water getting in.”

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It is not known why it started sinking

According to the Canal and River Trust (CRT) the motor cruiser started sinking at about 8.45am.

Directors of the CRT are trying to get in touch with the owners.

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Boat called French Leave sinking in Gloucester Docks

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