Nearly 300 passengers onboard P&O ferry ‘safe’ after engine room fire
Written by News on 21/10/2020
Nearly 300 passengers and crew on a ferry which caught fire in the engine room are safe, the coastguard has said.
The P&O Pride of Hull is expected to return to port “as soon as possible” after it lost power and became stranded with 264 passengers onboard following the fire.
The ferry, which was travelling from Hull to Rotterdam, set sail at 8.30pm and was expected to arrive at Rotterdam on Wednesday morning, but did not make it past the Humber estuary.
The coastguard, which was informed of the incident at about 9pm on Tuesday, said the ferry was anchored in the River Humber.
An Associated British Ports (ABP) spokesperson said: “ABP responded last night to an incident of a fire in the engine room on the P&O vessel the Pride of Hull.
“We continue to liaise with and support the ship and will be assisting in her safe return to the Port of Hull as soon as possible.”
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “HM Coastguard received a call from Humber Vessel Traffic Service just before nine last night, reporting the Pride of Hull had lost power and smoke had been found in the engine room.
“The ferry is currently at anchor in the River Humber. She was outbound to Rotterdam with 264 passengers and crew on board when she lost power.
“All passengers and crew are safe and power remains on decks.
“Two tugs were originally sent along with the Humber RNLI lifeboat. One tug remains with the vessel.”
(c) Sky News 2020: Nearly 300 passengers onboard P&O ferry ‘safe’ after engine room fire
