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An abandoned cargo ship that was last spotted near Africa in September 2019 today washed up in East Cork.

'The Alta', an 80 metre vessel, was found washed up three miles west of Ballycotton this afternoon after being blown in by the winds of Storm Dennis.

The derelict ship was made all the way back in 1976 and is described as derelict after being abandoned in October of 2018 in South-East Bermuda.

(Image: Pic Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision)

The Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 117, conducted an inspection of the vessel from the air but couldn't put anyone onboard to do a further inspection due to the adverse weather.

A Rescue 117 spokesperson said: "Tasked earlier today to a vessel aground near Ballycotton, Cork. Thankfully there was nobody onboard today. The U.S. Coast Guard had rescued the 10 crew members from the vessel back in September 30, 2018. The vessel has been drifting since and today came ashore on the Cork coastline. What an amazing journey."