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Drifting ship avoids hitting rig Drifting ship avoids hitting rig
(about 1 hour later)
Engines on a 4,500-tonne cargo ship adrift in the North Sea were briefly repaired to allow the crew to avoid a gas platform it was heading for.Engines on a 4,500-tonne cargo ship adrift in the North Sea were briefly repaired to allow the crew to avoid a gas platform it was heading for.
However, the engines failed again and the ship is now drifting towards an unmanned platform, coastguards said.However, the engines failed again and the ship is now drifting towards an unmanned platform, coastguards said.
They said the ship - the Vindo - was a mile from the manned platform when its engines were temporarily repaired. An RAF helicopter has been scrambled to the scene on emergency standby as the ship drifts towards the second rig, some 80 miles east of Flamborough Head.
Two RAF helicopters were scrambled to airlift workers off the Murdoch rig, 80 miles east of Flamborough Head. All crew on the manned Murdoch rig were earlier airlifted to other rigs.
A Humber Coastguard spokesman confirmed the Vindo was on course to collide with a second platform. The ship - the Vindo - was a mile from platform when its engines were temporarily repaired.
Mayday signal But coastguard watch manager Mike Green confirmed the Vindo was on course to collide with a second platform.
"About a mile from the platform the Vindo got its engine started and managed to navigate the platform," he said. 'Challenging conditions'
"Unfortunately its engine failed again and it is drifting towards an unmanned platform." "Although the ship has now drifted clear of the original platform, the problem still remains since it is now drifting towards a second platform with the ship's nine crew on board," he said.
The Vindo originally broke down nine miles (14km) from the platform. "The crew of the vessel are still working hard to reinstate engine power."
It has nine crew on board and is carrying 4,200 tonnes of fertiliser. The Vindo - carrying 4,200 tonnes of fertiliser - originally broke down nine miles (14km) from the platform.
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. "There is no intention to begin remanning the (Murdoch) platform until morning," said Mr Green.
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. "Weather conditions are challenging with 50 knot winds from the west and a seven metre swell."
Previous incidentPrevious incident
"Winds locally are passing 55 knots - classed as storm force 10 - making conditions very difficult." Humber Coastguard has initiated a Mayday signal locally to alert other vessels in the area that might be able to assist the Vindo.
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.