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Ship fire sparks major sea rescue Ship fire sparks major sea rescue
(40 minutes later)
A major air-sea rescue operation is under way near the Humber estuary after fire broke out on a cargo vessel. A major air-sea rescue operation has taken place near the Humber estuary after fire broke out on a cargo vessel.
An RAF helicopter has winched a specialist firefighting team onto the Netherlands-registered Saline which sent out a mayday message at 0330 GMT. An RAF helicopter winched a specialist firefighting team onto the Netherlands-registered Saline which sent out a mayday message at 0330 GMT.
A Humber coastguard spokesman said all seven crew on the ship, which is three miles off Spurn Point, were unharmed. A Humber coastguard spokesman said all seven crew on the ship, which was three miles off Spurn Point, were unharmed.
He said the fire had been contained to the engine room of the vessel, which was carrying bauxite aluminium ore.He said the fire had been contained to the engine room of the vessel, which was carrying bauxite aluminium ore.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said: "This 1,990-tonne vessel reported they had attempted to extinguish the fire by smothering the engine room with CO2 gas.A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said: "This 1,990-tonne vessel reported they had attempted to extinguish the fire by smothering the engine room with CO2 gas.
Unprecedented response Ship firefighting is one of the most hazardous types of incident that we can encounter Glenn Ramsden, Humberside Fire Service
"An RAF helicopter from Leconfield was sent along with Humber Lifeboat ready to evacuate the seven crew if required."An RAF helicopter from Leconfield was sent along with Humber Lifeboat ready to evacuate the seven crew if required.
"The crew are all unharmed and remained on board the vessel.""The crew are all unharmed and remained on board the vessel."
The Saline is being towed by a fire tug from the port of Immingham and the Humber Lifeboat remains on standby at the scene. The Saline is now being towed by two tugs to the Albert Dock in Hull.
A team of firefighters from Humberside Fire Service's newly-formed Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG) were flown out to the vessel to take over the firefighting operation.A team of firefighters from Humberside Fire Service's newly-formed Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG) were flown out to the vessel to take over the firefighting operation.
It is believed to be the first time the MIRG team has been deployed to a live incident. It is the first time the MIRG team has been deployed to an active incident.
Drew Mahood, watch manager at Humber Coastguard, said: "This is a good example of inter-agency working between the coastguard and the fire brigade in an emergency at sea. Glenn Ramsden from Humberside Fire & Rescue Service said; "This is the first time that our MIRG team have responded to an incident and the success is testimony to the support provided by the MCA and the intense training programme that has involved all partner agencies.
"Whilst there have been a number of full exercises, it is believed to be the very first time that the Humberside MIRG Team have been mobilised to an offshore incident in their response area." "Ship firefighting is one of the most hazardous types of incident that we can encounter.
"Our crews did an excellent job working in very tricky conditions."
Drew Mahood, watch manager at Humber Coastguard, said: "The joint response from HM Coastguard, Humberside Fire and Rescue, the RNLI, the RAF and the crew has led to this fire being extinguished without loss of life or injury."