Humber Coastguard Assist Fishing Vessel on Fire

Press Notice No: 19-09
Friday, January 23, 2009

At quarter to ten this morning Humber Coastguard received a mayday call from the fishing vessel Grenaa Star HL112 reporting that they had a fire onboard.

The fishing vessel had three crew on board, and on discovering that they had a fire called for help and activated their fire protection system. The vessel was in a position 12 miles east of Sunderland.

Humber Coastguard broadcast a mayday relay and received a response fromm another fishing vessel called Childrens Friend who offered to proceed and give assistance.

Tynemouth and Sunderland RNLI lifeboats were initially requested to launch and a Helicopter was requested from ARCC Kinloss.

The fire was subsequently extinguished by its protection system and lifeboats arrived on scene along with the helicopter. Hartlepool RNLI lifeboat was subsequently launched to escort the Grenna Star back to Hartlepool where they were met by the Fire and Rescue service to ensure that the fire would not reignite.

Graham Dawson, Watch Manager, Humber Coastguard said:

We are pleased that all the fisherman are safe and well.

When fire protection systems are activated it is important not to re-open ventilation until the vessel is safely alongside as oxygen enters the space and can reignite the fire.

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401