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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Ship drifts towards North Sea rig | Ship drifts towards North Sea rig |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A 4,500-tonne cargo ship is adrift without power in the North Sea and heading towards a gas platform. | A 4,500-tonne cargo ship is adrift without power in the North Sea and heading towards a gas platform. |
| Two RAF helicopters were scrambled from Wattisham and Leconfield to airlift 20 people from the Murdoch rig 80 miles east of Flamborough Head. | |
| Helicopters are ready to evacuate the rest of the crew from the ship if its engines cannot be repaired in time. | Helicopters are ready to evacuate the rest of the crew from the ship if its engines cannot be repaired in time. |
| Humber Coastguard said the ship - called the Vindo - broke down nine miles (14km) from the platform. | Humber Coastguard said the ship - called the Vindo - broke down nine miles (14km) from the platform. |
| The ship has nine crew on board and is carrying 4,200 tonnes of fertiliser. | The ship has nine crew on board and is carrying 4,200 tonnes of fertiliser. |
| Mayday signal | Mayday signal |
| Its drift was slowed by lowering its anchor, but the coastguard said the rescue operation was "too close for comfort". | Its drift was slowed by lowering its anchor, but the coastguard said the rescue operation was "too close for comfort". |
| It is hoped the ship's crew will be able to restore power. If they can't it is possible the ship will collide with the platform between 2200 and 2300 GMT. | It is hoped the ship's crew will be able to restore power. If they can't it is possible the ship will collide with the platform between 2200 and 2300 GMT. |
| A spokesman said the people evacuated from the gas platform, which is owned by ConocoPhillips, had been taken to nearby rigs and were out of any potential danger. | A spokesman said the people evacuated from the gas platform, which is owned by ConocoPhillips, had been taken to nearby rigs and were out of any potential danger. |
| He added: "Humber Coastguard have also initiated a Mayday signal locally to alert other vessels to the situation and who may be able to assist the Vindo. | He added: "Humber Coastguard have also initiated a Mayday signal locally to alert other vessels to the situation and who may be able to assist the Vindo. |
| "Winds locally are passing 55 knots - classed as storm force 10 - making conditions very difficult." | "Winds locally are passing 55 knots - classed as storm force 10 - making conditions very difficult." |
| In September last year the 90m-long Vindo crashed into another large cargo vessel, Dealer, after failing to respond to radio messages. | In September last year the 90m-long Vindo crashed into another large cargo vessel, Dealer, after failing to respond to radio messages. |
| Nobody was injured in the incident, which took place 17 miles off the coast of North Foreland, Kent. | Nobody was injured in the incident, which took place 17 miles off the coast of North Foreland, Kent. |
| Dover Coastguard said no pollution had occurred but both vessels had sustained some damage in the collision. | Dover Coastguard said no pollution had occurred but both vessels had sustained some damage in the collision. |