The masts of an ammunition-laden Thames shipwreck off Kent, UK are to be removed urgently.

American liberty ship SS Richard Richard Montgomery sank in the Thames 1.5 miles north of Sheerness back in 1944, going down with an estimated 1400 tonnes of explosives onboard.

The UK Government originally planned for the masts to be removed in Spring 2022, but this was delayed due to several problematic unidentified objects being found on the seabed.

Now follow extensive additional surveying, it has been found the masts are 'severely degrading' and at risk of collapse onto the hull.

Southend Echo reports the masts will be removed in March 2024. A Department for Transport spokesman is quoted as saying: “We commissioned experts to carry out vital surveying work to the wreckage. Based on their findings, we are now reviewing and updating our plans to remove the ship’s masts as soon as safely as possible.”

Footage shows survey vessel Thames Guardian at the wreck site this afternoon (December 12). Ongoing survey work is due to be completed by December 20.