Fears have been raised over whether cargo ships are sailing too close to an explosive-filled shipwreck.

It came after a photo emerged of a WEC Lines vessel travelling near the SS Richard Montgomery off the Isle of Sheppey.

But while it has been confirmed the boat had not breached the exclusion zone around the wreck, people have been left questioning the safety of the shipping lanes’ proximity - especially after a new no-fly zone was implemented over the area in May.

In the photo, the WEC vessel is passing a black and yellow buoy, identified as buoy no.10, in the foreground.

The three masts of the American Second World War ammunition ship, which sank in August 1944 with thousands of bombs on board, can be seen jutting out of the water.

The image was taken by Islander James Dewey, who was on his lunch break when he saw three ships take the same route around 1.30pm on Tuesday, June 3.

The 43-year-old, who lives in Eastchurch, said: “The picture I took was of the last one and the smallest of ships. The one before was huge, and it looked a bit suspicious.

“It was worrying when I was sitting there looking at doomsday.”

Mr Dewey posted his picture on social media, sparking an online debate about whether the boat was too close.

Close to 90 comments were made under the post, many of which raised concerns.

However, the vessel was sailing within the correct fairway (the route through the buoys) and did not enter the exclusion zone, it has been confirmed.

HM Coastguard says it was not alerted to a breach of the exclusion zone.

Veteran sailor and wreck watcher, Tim Bell, who lives in Minster, was one of those who waded in on the online debate.

The 80-year-old, who is also known for his charity fundraising across Kent, described the route as the “most dangerous” at sea.

He said: “If the ship fails to make the bend, it will end up inside the exclusion zone.

“The biggest risk is if a ship fails to make the turn and collides with the wreck.

“A channel should be dredged here, and the current fairway should be moved further south away from the exclusion zone.

Read more: ‘Isn’t it time we tackle the bomb ship off our coast?’

“They should construct a sand and shingle bund around the wreck.”

It comes after a new no-fly zone was imposed by the Department for Transport, which is in charge of monitoring the wreck.

The Montgomery, known locally as Monty, has been on the seabed filled with thousands of tonnes of ammunition for more than 80 years after sinking in August 1944.

Its three masts are set to be cut down to reduce strain on the ship’s deteriorating hull.

However, that project has been delayed three times in five years.

The procurement of a contractor to take on the work is expected later this year.

When the boat went to the bottom of the sea, it took with it 7,000 tonnes of ammunition. Roughly half were salvaged, but around 14,571 bombs remain in the shipwreck.

This has seen it labelled a “doomsday wreck” by national media outlets.

But whether the “top event” would happen is a long-standing debate – one which KentOnline asked a top expert about.

Read more: The truth behind the explosive-filled SS Richard Montgomery shipwreck

The boat was named after an American hero of the War of Independence against Britain who was killed while attacking British Quebec in 1775.