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Fire on British ship, RAF helicopters called out
London, Sept 02: The Royal Air Force scrambled helicopters on Monday to help tackle a fire aboard a ship with 611 passengers aboard off the southeast of England, officials said.
London, Sept 02: The Royal Air Force scrambled helicopters on Monday to help tackle a fire aboard a ship with 611 passengers aboard off the southeast of England, officials said.
There were no immediate reports of any injuries. Yarmouth Coastguard said the Norsea ferry, operated by P&O, was on its way from Hull in northern England to Zeebrugge in Belgium when a fire broke out in the ship's engine room shortly after 0630 IST.
Passengers on the ferry, which is 13 kms out to sea northeast of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, were wearing lifejackets and were mustered at emergency stations on the ship, said Coastguard spokesman Mark Clark.
He said the ferry's master reported that there were no injuries on board due to the fire, but was concerned for one passenger, a woman who suffers from angina. Clark said it was unlikely the passengers or crew would need airlifting to safety, however, as the fire had been contained and was under control.
"The master is confident the fire will be kept under control," Clark said.
Lifeboats from three nearby towns had been sent and nine other vessels at sea in the area, mainly tugs that service nearby oil and gas rigs, had been put on standby.
A second P&O ferry was also diverted to the area to assist.
An air force spokesman said two RAF Sea King helicopter were scrambled, one from Wattisham in southern England, the other from Leconfield in northern England. Bureau Report
There were no immediate reports of any injuries. Yarmouth Coastguard said the Norsea ferry, operated by P&O, was on its way from Hull in northern England to Zeebrugge in Belgium when a fire broke out in the ship's engine room shortly after 0630 IST.
Passengers on the ferry, which is 13 kms out to sea northeast of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, were wearing lifejackets and were mustered at emergency stations on the ship, said Coastguard spokesman Mark Clark.
He said the ferry's master reported that there were no injuries on board due to the fire, but was concerned for one passenger, a woman who suffers from angina. Clark said it was unlikely the passengers or crew would need airlifting to safety, however, as the fire had been contained and was under control.
"The master is confident the fire will be kept under control," Clark said.
Lifeboats from three nearby towns had been sent and nine other vessels at sea in the area, mainly tugs that service nearby oil and gas rigs, had been put on standby.
A second P&O ferry was also diverted to the area to assist.
An air force spokesman said two RAF Sea King helicopter were scrambled, one from Wattisham in southern England, the other from Leconfield in northern England. Bureau Report