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At least 3 dead, 13 missing after boat accident off St Kitts, P&O Britannia helping search

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A P&O UK liner with British tourists onboard is helping search for passengers of a boat that sank in the Caribbean off the coast of St Kitts .

At least 3 people have died and 13 are missing after the boat capsized.

P&O Cruises ' ship Britannia is assisting the efforts of the coastguard.

Reports say 32 people had been onboard the stricken vessel, with 16 rescued. The 30 ft (9 m) boat had been "dangerously overcrowded" when it started sinking.

The boat was en route from Antigua to St Thomas USVI . It got into trouble ~12 nautical miles off the coast of St Kitts and was spotted at ~3 am by a passing luxury yacht. Terrified travelers were seen clinging to the edge of the boat as the rescue was underway.

According to a spokesman for P&O UK, they were "working with the coastguard to lead the search and rescue operation with another ship."

Antigua officials are leading the search for those still missing. Most of the rescued are from Cameroon.

The nationalities of those who died have not yet been released.

P&O Britannia cruise ship

The accident comes just hours after reports that a British dad, a P&O Britannia passenger, died during a snorkeling expedition on St Kitts.

The unnamed man died during the trip after arriving on the island Monday morning, March 27th.

Britannia's current cruise is 14 days from Bridgetown to Southampton England  (Mar 24-Apr 7). 

For more P&O Britannia incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page .

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p&o cruise ship sinking

Three dead and 13 missing after boat sinks in Caribbean as P&O cruise ship helps rescue survivors clinging to hull

  • Julia Atherley
  • Katie Davis
  • Published : 11:32 ET, Mar 28 2023
  • Updated : 19:37 ET, Mar 28 2023

A P&O cruise ship with Brit tourists on board is helping search for passengers of a boat after it sank in the Caribbean.

At least three people have died and 13 are still missing after the stricken vessel capsized off the coast of St Kitts.

The cruise ship is understood to have assisted in the rescue

A P&O cruise ship, The Britannia, is assisting the coastguard's efforts.

It is understood 32 people were on board the vessel, with 16 rescued.

A spokesman for P&O Cruises told The Sun: "We are working with the coastguard to lead the search and rescue operation with another ship."

The 30ft boat is said to have been "dangerously overcrowded" when it started sinking, according to local media reports.

Local reports claim the vessel was en route from Antigua to St Thomas, in the US Virgin Islands.

It got into trouble only 12 nautical miles off the coast of St Kitts, and was spotted at 3am by a passing luxury yacht.

Terrified passengers were seen clinging to the edge of the vessel as the rescue was underway.

Officials in Antigua are leading the search for those still missing in the water.

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Anthony Comrie, head of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, said most of those rescued were from Cameroon.

He said: "My government has been making every effort to be helpful to these brothers and sisters from Africa who were marooned on Antigua, including by granting them residence and the opportunity to work."

The boat was stolen in Antigua, and 16 people on board were rescued, including two Antiguans, Comrie added.

The nationalities of those who died has not yet been released.

"All of the facts surrounding today's calamity are not yet known," Comrie said.

It comes only hours after a passenger on the same cruise ship die d while snorkelling in the Caribbean with his family.

The tourist arrived in St Kitts on Monday on board the cruise ship Britannia on Monday.

He got into difficulty while snorkelling with his wife and daughter as part of a group activity at Peninsular Cove.

The dad was taken to shore where a fellow tourist performed CPR, but could not be saved and died at the scene.

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Authorities are carrying out an autopsy as it is unclear whether he drowned or died of natural causes, reports St Kitts & Nevis Observer .

The Britannia is the flagship of P&O's fleet with 13 bars and 13 restaurants on board, as well as 1,837 cabins.

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Cargo ship Verity crash - latest: P&O passenger cruise diverted to help in North Sea search after fatal crash

Rescuers are racing to find several missing people, article bookmarked.

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Rescue divers are searching for signs of life on a British cargo boat that crashed and sank this morning as four sailors remain missing.

One sailor has died and two have been rescued, reveal German authorities.

The four missing crew members may be alive and sheltering inside the vessel on the sea floor, the spokesperson said during a press conference alongside the German maritime search and rescue service.

The ships, Polesie and Verity, collided in the early morning about 14 miles south-west of the island of Helgoland, Germany ’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said.

Verity was headed from Bremen, Germany, to the English port of Immingham. The other ship, the Bahamas-flagged Polesie, remained afloat with 22 people on board.

A P&O cruise called the Iona which was travelling from Hamburg is helping with the urgent rescue mission, confirmed officals.

According to reports, passengers were panicked when there was an onboard Captain announcement at 6am this morning.

A spokesperson for P&O Cruises said: “P&O Cruises Iona is currently involved in a search and rescue operation off the coast of Germany.

“The incident is ongoing and Iona’s cooperation complies with international maritime law as well as being consistent with the company’s moral and legal obligations.”

Social media users share their condolences

Watch - rescuers search for signs of life, icymi - what has happened so far.

A British cargo ship has sunk off the coast of Germany following a collision, with one sailor announced dead, four remain missing.

The ships, Polesie and Verity, collided in the early morning about 14 nautical miles south-west of the island of Helgoland, Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said.

The British-flagged Verity, apparently sank, while the Polesie remains waterborne with its 22 passengers.

One person was rescued from the water and is being given medical treatment, while rescue parties are searching for several more people who remain unaccounted for.

The search mission involved nine ships, an aircraft, including a German navy helicopter and a P&O cruise line who spent the day scouring the area.

A passenger reveals her horror when the cruise ship intervened

A woman was travelling on the Iona P&O cruise ship headed toward Rotterdam when she was awoken to the captain’s shocking announcement.

The passenger, who does not wish to be identified, described her fear this morning when the news broke.

She said: “When you wake up to muster, muster, muster, you know something tragic is happening outside.

“Shortly after the captain made the announcement we knew it wasn’t the Iona.

“The captain kept us all feeling safe and we all just wanted to help.”

She says as she continues on her trip, she will think of the sailor and prays the others are saved.

According to the cruise goer, the Iona boat left the scene at 2.15pm local time.

The rescue mission so far

A search and rescue operation began after the British-flagged Verity hit a larger cargo ship, Polesie, about 14 miles (22.5km) south-west of the German island of Heligoland at around 5am on Tuesday.

While the larger, Bahamas-flagged Polesie stayed afloat, the Verity, which had departed from Bremen, Germany, and was destined for the port of Immingham on the east coast of England carrying steel coils, became submerged.

Shortly afterwards a signal from the ship was lost, German authorities said, and wreckage was found.

Searches are continuing involving several ships, aircraft, and a P&O cruise ship, with rescuers preparing to dive 98ft (30m) to the wreckage.

Robby Renner, Germany’s head of Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, told a news conference in Cuxhaven it is possible the remaining crew are still alive inside the sunken vessel and that his team is doing “everything humanly possible” to rescue them.

Michael Ippich, of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service, said the water temperature at the time of collision was 12C (54F), which people can survive for about 20 hours.

Mr Ippich told reporters: “The conditions on the spot are extremely difficult.

“Because of the weather and visibility, it’s incredibly difficult to conduct such an operation.”

A spokesman for P&O Cruises told the PA news agency: “P&O Cruises’ Iona is currently involved in a search and rescue operation off the coast of Germany.”

Handout photo showing search lights scanning the water near to where the British cargo ship Verity sank following a collision with the Bahamas-flagged vessel Polesie in the North Sea

Where did the Verity go missing?

The ships, Polesie and Verity, collided in the early morning about 22 kilometers (14 miles) southwest of the island of Helgoland, Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said.

Watch - Rescuers search sunken British ship for signs of life after fatal North Sea collision

Remaining missing sailors ‘could survive for 20 hours'.

The remaining missing sailors could survive for 20 hours in 12C waters say the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service.

“We are now doing everything humanly possible to rescue more people alive,” the head of the emergency command, Robby Renner, said at a news conference in Cuxhaven.

Several rescue ships and aircraft taking part in the search had not located the missing crew members by mid-afternoon.

Rescuers were considering the possibility that they were still inside the Verity, and planned to send divers down to the wreck to check whether there are any signs of life, Mr Renner said.

The Verity cargo ship had departed from Bremen, Germany (Alamy/PA)

A graphic to show where the Verity went missing

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P&O cruise ship joins rescue mission after UK-bound cargo vessel Verity sinks

  • Isle of Man
  • Lincolnshire
  • Tuesday 24 October 2023 at 4:50pm

p&o cruise ship sinking

A rescue mission is underway after a British cargo ship sank following a collision with another vessel in the North Sea.

One person is reported to have died, while two have been rescued after the Verity sank about 14 miles southwest of the German island of Heligoland as it made its way to the port of Immingham , North East Lincolnshire . Four others are still missing.

It is not yet clear where the crew members are from.

Robby Renner, Germany’s head of Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, told a news conference in Cuxhaven that it is possible the remaining crew are still alive inside the sunken vessel and that his team is doing “everything humanly possible” to rescue them.

Michael Ippich, of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service, said the water temperature at the time of collision was 12C (54F), which people can survive for about 20 hours.

Mr Ippich told reporters the conditions on the spot are "extremely difficult".

“Because of the weather and visibility, it’s incredibly difficult to conduct such an operation," he said.

Cruise company P&O confirmed one of its ships, the Iona, joined the search and rescue mission on Tuesday morning, saying it was "[complying] with international maritime law" as well as acting consistently with "the company’s moral and legal obligations".

A spokesperson later said the Iona had been "released" from the search and was continuing its journey to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

The Verity, a 91m-long, 2,600-tonne vessel which is registered in the Isle of Man , was heading for Immingham when it crashed into a larger cargo ship, Polesie, in the early hours of Tuesday.

While the Bahamas-flagged Polesie stayed afloat, the Verity, which had departed from Bremen in Germany, became submerged.

Germany's transport minister Volker Wissing posted on social media thanking those involved with the rescue operation.

He said: "After the collision between two ships off Heligoland, my thoughts are with the crew members and their families.

"I would like to thank the rescue teams who have been on duty since early this morning.

"They do everything they can to save the missing people."

Faversham Ships Ltd, which owns the Verity, described the incident as “ongoing” and said it was working with local authorities.

The Isle of Man government said the island's ship registry was informed of the incident this morning.

In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, it said it was "deeply saddened" to learn of the crew member's death, but thanked the vessels involved with the search and rescue operation and said the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch would now be conducting an investigation into the crash.

It also said the two rescued crew members were "doing well" in hospital, and said it was thinking of all the crew and their loved ones.

The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office has also been approached for comment.

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p&o cruise ship sinking

Hope lost for 4 missing sailors on Brit cargo ship that sunk after crash with tanker as last ditch search abandoned

  • Imogen Braddick
  • Ellie Doughty
  • Amir Razavi
  • Published : 8:48, 24 Oct 2023
  • Updated : 13:20, 25 Oct 2023
  • Published : Invalid Date,

A LAST ditch attempt to find four missing sailors who disappeared when a British cargo ship sank in the North Sea has been abandoned.

Hope appears lost for the crew members after one died when the 299ft Verity crashed into Bahamas-flagged 623ft Polesie on Tuesday.

Ships and helicopters joined the search for four missing sailors in the North Sea

A huge search and rescue operation was launched off the coast of Germany after the 5am smash - which happened 14 miles from the archipelago Heligoland.

Emergency services faced brutal 30mph winds, 10ft waves and fog as they hunted for the missing people in temperatures as low as 11C.

German rescue services said there were seven people onboard the Verity when it struck the Polesie.

One crew member was found dead and two others were rescued - while another four are still missing.

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Shortly after signal from Verity was lost, the wreckage was detected at a depth of around 100ft, according to maritime authorities.

Head of the accident command Robby Renner said they would do "everything humanly possible to rescue more people alive".

Renner said there was a chance the missing crew were "trapped in the hull" and divers were sent down to scour the wreckage.

But the search and rescue effort was called off on Wednesday night as the weather worsened, the German coastguard said.

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Officials said "numerous operational resources" desperately combed the area before the search was suspended.

"The search for the four missing sailors from the sunken 'Verity' was stopped on Wednesday night," it said.

"The surface search will not be resumed today.

"The incident command will decide in the morning what measures can be taken around the accident site during the day. "

Two men rescued earlier were both taken to hospital after receiving treatment on rescue ships.

The water temperature at the time of the collision was 12C, in which people can survive for about 20 hours.

Chances of surviving in the brutal North Sea depend on the victim's physical health and whether they have life jackets or cold protection suits .

Chilling GPS footage revealed the moment the Verity collided with the Polesie.

The Polesie could be seen continuing forward before turning around and appearing to steer back over the spot where it struck the British ship.

Marine Traffic show the Polesie near the collision site with its position updating frequently - but the Verity appears to not have sent out a signal since the crash.

A P&O spokesperson told The Sun their cruise ship Iona joined the search for survivors in the North Sea.

They were also providing medical help for anyone in need on board, but the cruiser has since left the crash site.

Brit passengers aboard P&O cruiser Iona were awoken 45 minutes later by a PA system announcement revealing its crew was helping to locate missing people.

Are you on the P&O cruise ship Iona? WhatsApp The Sun on 077 4100 5808 or call us at 020 7782 4100

Shop worker Rhys Johnson, 24, from Hampshire, told The Sun: “There were helicopters, search vessels and two of our RHIBs helping.

“We set off for Rotterdam from Hamburg yesterday, and we were about 200 metres away from the ships. It’s incredibly distressing.

“Everyone on here is sad and concerned and in a state of panic.”

A spokesman for P&O Cruises said: "The incident is ongoing and Iona's co-operation complies with international maritime law as well as being consistent with the company's moral and legal obligations."

Several other rescue vessels and a German navy helicopter are also at the scene assisting in the mission to locate the crew.

The Verity and Polesie collided roughly 14 miles off the southern coast of Heligoland, Germany - it remains unclear how the collision unfolded.

The Polesie managed to stay afloat with 22 people on board, who are reportedly uninjured.

Heligoland operates as Germany's central command for maritime emergencies, where the rescue ship Hermann Marwede was sent out from to coordinate the search.

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Volker Wissing, German transport minister, said: "After the collision between two ships off Heligoland, my thoughts are with the crew members and their families.

"I would like to thank the rescue teams who have been on duty since early this morning . They do everything they can to save the missing people."

A German navy helicopter and multiple ships helped scour the area for survivors

  • missing person
  • British-flagged cargo ship Verity sinks in North Sea after collision with bulk carrier Polesie; P&O cruise ship Iona joins search for 'several missing'
  • VesselFinder
  • Maritime News

A British cargo ship has sunk after it collided with another vessel in the North Sea off the German coast this morning, with several people still missing as rescuers desperately search for survivors.

British-flagged cargo ship Verity sinks in North Sea after collision with bulk carrier Polesie; P&O cruise ship Iona joins search for 'several missing'

British-flagged vessel Verity collided with another cargo ship Polesie at around 5am this morning about 14 miles southwest of the German island of Helgoland, Germany's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said. 

p&o cruise ship sinking

The 300ft vessel, which was on its way from Bremen in Germany to the British port of Immingham, sank following the impact and rescuers have launched a desperate mission to find several people who are missing. 

The P&O cruise ship Iona , which left Southampton three days ago for Hamburg , Rotterdam and Bruges in Belgium, has now joined in the search. The emergency command said the victims can receive medical care on board the cruise ship. 

p&o cruise ship sinking

One person has already been rescued from the water and was being given medical treatment, the emergency command said, adding that their search for several more is continuing. But that search is being hampered by 30mph winds and 10ft waves.

The other ship, the Bahamas-flagged Polesie that had left Hamburg for La Coruna in Spain, remained afloat with 22 people on board after the collision.

The P&O cruise ship Iona, which can hold 5,200 holidaymakers and 1,800 crew, has joined several vessels in the search, including sea rescue cruisers ' Hermann Marwede ' and ' Bernhard Gruben '.

Two rescue cruisers, an emergency tug, a pilot boat, a police patrol boat and a helicopter are helping with the search. 

A helicopter is also involved in the search as well as an emergency tug, a pilot boat and a police patrol boat, reports Bild. The German emergency command said it also has a sensor aircraft flying over the sea in order to obtain more information on the whereabouts of Verity.

British cargo ship Verity sinks as 'body recovered from water' with four still missing

The British flagged Verity has sunk after colliding with another cargo ship in the North Sea off the German coast with a body recovered from the water, two rescued and four still missing

p&o cruise ship sinking

  • Updated 16:50, 24 Oct 2023

A British cargo ship has sunk after colliding with another boat in the North Sea off the German coast with a body recovered from the water, two rescued and four still missing, it is confirmed.

The ships, Verity and Polesie, collided in the early morning about 14 miles south-west of the island of Helgoland, Germany's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said. One of the ships, the British-flagged Verity, sank.

In an update, it stated: "Two people were rescued during the search for the shipwrecked people of the freighter VERITY in the German Bight. Another man could only be rescued dead.

"One rescued person has already been taken to a hospital on land, the other rescued person was brought on board the sea rescue cruiser of the German Sea Rescue Society ((DGzRS)) HERMANN MARWEDE; he is now on the way to a hospital. There were a total of seven people on board the VARITY. Four people are still missing and the search for the missing people is ongoing."

It is feared the missing people may be still trapped in the hull, and rescuers said they are doing "everything humanly possible" to save them. Dr Robby Renner, head of the accident command said: “We haven’t found the missing people yet. Therefore we have to assume that they can still be in the ship. Our rescue operation is in full swing. We are doing everything humanly possible to save them. We don’t stop even when it gets dark.”

It said the ship was headed from Bremen, Germany, to the English port of Immingham, Lincolnshire. The other ship, the Bahamas-flagged Polesie which was heading to La Coruna in Spain, remained afloat with 22 people on board.

The P&O cruise ship Iona has joined several vessels in the search and one passenger on board claimed that three bodies had been picked up. the liner left Southampton three days ago for Hamburg, Rotterdam and Bruges in Belgium. Also in the rescue mission are the vessels 'Hermann Marwede' and 'Bernhard Gruben'. The Iona has a doctor and medical assistance on board while paramedics are also on board rescue helicopters.

Passenger Gary Corbin wrote on Facebook: "Two freighters have collided close by us. Iona has picked up 3 bodies. There are helicopters and rescue ships by us. We are involved in the search and rescue operation Not moving at moment." Another holidaymaker Clive Baker said on Facebook: "Got woken by captain’s announcement at 5am this morning that we were pausing to assist if required. Several missing by the sounds of it."

Ian Hardman said he was on the Iona and witnessed "extremely sad scenes". He said: "The crew have displayed impeccable professionalism throughout the incident. My thoughts and prayers are with those lost at sea and for their families."

Cathering Cox said her 81-year-old mother was onboard the Iona. She wrote on Twitter: "My Mum and daughter are also on board. I received a call from them this morning to tell me about it. Desperately sad. My Mum has been told by the crew that the ship won't make Rotterdam until tomorrow night now.

"The rescue started at around 3am with the ship slowing quickly to help. It seems that Iona followed the Polesie out of Hamburg. Initially, it was hoped they would be able to carry on to Rotterdam for tomorrow morning.

"She has just been told they won't now make it until early evening at the earliest. On board it is calm and everyone is understanding of the circumstances. There are approximately 10 ships/helicopters involved in the rescue at the moment."

A P&O Cruises spokesperson told The Mirror: “P&O Cruises Iona is currently involved in a search and rescue operation off the coast of Germany. The incident is ongoing and Iona’s cooperation complies with international maritime law as well as being consistent with the company’s moral and legal obligations. Iona is scheduled to be at sea today and this event should have no impact upon tomorrow’s scheduled call to Rotterdam or the onward itinerary.”

Another person onboard the Iona said that passengers were told before 6am that the ship was helping in the rescue operation. “There are helicopters, search vessels and two of our RHIBs helping. People are saying...the British ship has sunk. It’s incredibly distressing. We set off for Rotterdam from Hamburg yesterday, and we were about 200 metres away from the ships. Everyone on here is sad and concerned and in a state of panic, the 24-year-old told The Sun .

A spokesman for Germany's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, Benedikt Spangardt, told Bild that the priority is to rescue the missing people and it is too early to say if there is a danger from an oil spill.

GPS footage from Marine Traffic shows the moment that the collision took place with the Polesie appearing to move left and hitting into the side of the Verity.

The German Sea Rescue Society (DGzRS) tweeted: "#Sea rescuers in action: Collision in the German Bight, several people missing. Two cargo ships collided early this morning. Sea rescue cruiser HERMANN MARWEDE of the #DGzRS coordinates numerous search and rescue units."

Germany's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies stated earlier: "A ship collision occurred in the German Bight early on Tuesday morning, October 24, 2023, around 5 am. The cargo ships 'Polesie' and 'Verity' collided approximately 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) southwest of the island of Helgoland and 17 nautical miles (31 kilometers) northeast of the island of Langeoog. The emergency command took over overall operational management.

"The accident command currently assumes that the 'Verity' sank as a result of the collision. One person was rescued from the water and is receiving medical care. Several other people are currently missing. The search for the shipwrecked is underway. Numerous ships are in use for this purpose. The 'Polesie' is buoyant. She has 22 people on board.

"Currently involved in the search are the sea rescue cruisers HERMANN MARWEDE (Deutsche Bucht/Helgoland station) and BERNHARD GRUBEN (Hooksiel station) of the German Sea Rescue Society (DGzRS), the emergency tug “Nordic”, the pilot tender “Wangerooge”, the water police boat “Sylt and a SAR helicopter “Sea King” from the German Navy.

"The sea rescue cruiser HERMANN MARWEDE is currently coordinating the search on site. Also on the way to the accident site are the sea rescue cruiser ANNELIESE KRAMER (DGzRS, Cuxhaven station), the ATAIR (Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency), the multi-purpose ship MELLUM (Waterways and Shipping Administration) and the water police boat W3.

"The emergency command also has the DO228 sensor aircraft fly over the sea area in order to obtain further information. The cruise ship IONA is in the sea area and is supporting the search. People can also receive medical care on board the IONA; there are doctors on board. The accident command brings additional medical personnel to the scene of the accident by helicopter.

"In the area there are winds of six Beaufort with seas of three meters. The “Verity” [length: 91m, width 14m, flag: United Kingdom] was on the way from Bremen to Immingham in Great Britain, the “Polesie” [length: 190m, width 29m, flag: Bahamas] left Hamburg to La Coruña in Spain."

Volker Wissing, German transport minister, said on X/Twitter: "After the collision between two ships off Heligoland, my thoughts are with the crew members and their families. I would like to thank the rescue teams who have been on duty since early this morning. They do everything they can to save the missing people."

The Verity was built in the Netherlands in 2001 and belonged to the British-Dutch shipping company Faversham Ships.

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Body recovered and two rescued after British cargo ship sinks - four people are still missing

The British-flagged Verity was headed for the UK port of Immingham but has apparently sunk following the reported collision with another vessel.

Tuesday 24 October 2023 17:51, UK

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Marine Traffic

A dead body has been recovered and two people have been rescued after two cargo ships collided off the coast of Germany - with a British vessel sinking.

The ships, Polesie and Verity, collided at around 5am about 14 miles southwest of the island of Heligoland, Germany's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said.

Seven people were aboard the 91m (300ft) British-flagged Verity, and a search is ongoing for four people who remain missing.

Screenshot - the boat on the left is the Polesie and the one on the right is the Verity, must credit MarineTraffic.

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p&o cruise ship sinking

The two people rescued from the sea have been transferred to hospital and are reported to be doing well.

The Verity was heading from Bremen to the English port of Immingham at the time of the incident.

The other ship, the Bahamas-flagged Polesie, was en route from Hamburg to Spain - and remained afloat with 22 people onboard.

The Isle of Man Ship Registry has said the incident occurred in an area of the sea known as German Blight, south west of the island of Heligoland.

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Data from MarineTraffic shows that the two ships first came close to each other at around 2.57 UTC (3.57am UK time) and again at 3.45 UTC (4.57am UK time).

The German Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received the alarm just before 5.00 UTC (6.00am UK time) and launched a search and rescue operation immediately.

The ship registry has passed "heartfelt thanks" to the six German rescue boats involved in the ongoing search efforts.

The Iona P&O cruise ship - based out of Southampton - was bound for Rotterdam but paused in the vicinity of Verity's last-known location to help with the rescue effort.

The image below, taken from MarineTraffic, shows the two ships which collided and the Iona in the area.

A P&O Cruises spokesperson confirmed its ship is involved in the search and rescue operation.

The spokesperson added: "The incident is ongoing and Iona's cooperation complies with international maritime law as well as being consistent with the company's moral and legal obligations.

"Iona is scheduled to be at sea today and this event should have no impact upon tomorrow's scheduled call to Rotterdam or the onward itinerary."

The cruise ship has doctors on board and could treat people if needed, the emergency command said - and more medical personnel are heading to the scene in helicopters.

  • Royal Caribbean International

Afraid the ship will sink.

McLov1n

By McLov1n , March 13, 2009 in Royal Caribbean International

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Cool Cruiser

I am 11 and I was looking forward to going on the independence of the seas so much after looking at all there is to do on the ship. But then one question broached my head, :eek:WHAT IF THE SHIP SINKS.:eek: I am so scared of the ship sinking that I don't even want to go any more. Does anybody know about any Royal Caribbean ship sinking and what the chances are?

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ziggypup

You'll get a little wet while you wait to get rescued. That's why it is so very very important that you pay close attention during the muster drill !!!

madforcruising

madforcruising

Chances are very slim. It´s probably much more likely to be involved in a car accident in your every days life. There´s really nothing to worry about, go on the cruise and have fun and don´t let yourself be scared.

klfhngr

Women and children first, so you'll be ok!

julesbeara

Royal Caribbean has never had a ship sink. The captain makes sure to keep the ship out of dangerous situations (bad weather etc.). Please look forward to your cruise and all the great activities you will have on board.

mrdrdoso

my dd worried about everything from the boat sinking to being seasick the entire time, once she stopped worrying she was fine and you will be too. You are going to have so much fun, go to the teen club and relax. Once you are there you will see they have so many safety features in place that you will be fine, your parents wouldn't be taking you if they thought otherwise.

Davey Interweb

And don't blow on the whistle, you don't know where it's been. You'll know what I mean later.

10,000+ Club

Most adults do not have the courage to express what they are really thinking!

Good for you!

Ships have double hulls so it they hit something floating, it will not cause a major problem. The ships have watertight doors to prevent water moving from area to area. the ships have highly trained, highly skilll professionals handling the vessel.

You have darn near nothing to worry about! You have a better chance of getting run over on the way into the Windjammer Buffet than having a problem with the ship. Go, have a blast, enjoy! Then you can laugh about your concerns when you get home and brag that you just got back from a cruise!!!!

50+ Club

Keep an eye out for rogue waves and iceburgs! In all actuality there has not been a mass market cruise ship sinking since 1984 when a HAL ship that caught on fire sunk. Cruise ships tend to stay in calm waters unlike oceanliners because their design will not allow them to handle high seas. You will be perfectly safe, even if that 1 in million sinking occurs there are plenty of lifeboats to keep you afloat.

Oh and one other suggestion for you McLovin... Don't attempt to buy alcohol with your fake Hawaii ID! LoL

tmoret

As said before nothing to worrie about. Just go have fun be a kid. Heck most of the time you will not even be able to tell the ship is moving at all

Keep an eye out for rogue waves and iceburgs! In all actuality there has not been a mass market cruise ship sinking since 1984 when a HAL ship that caught on fire sunk. Cruise ships tend to stay in calm waters unlike oceanliners because their design will not allow them to handle high seas. You will be perfectly safe, even if that 1 in million sinking occurs there are plenty of lifeboats to keep you afloat.     Oh and one other suggestion for you McLovin... Don't attempt to buy alcohol with your fake Hawaii ID! LoL

While it´s true that the Captain will try to keep you in good weather and calm seas, this is for the convenience of the passengers.

Cruise ships are designed to handle high seas !!!

I´ve been on a number of Transatlantic sailings on cruise ships not Ocean liners and encountered some severe storms and heavy seas. A cruise ship can handle such easily.

Thank you guys so much for cheering me up. You guys are right I am just gonna have a good time and have fun on the flowrider. Even though there is a 10% I am just going to put that behind me.:D

Not even close to 10% more like a .00000000001% chance of a ship going down =)

eetonaee

You should worry about something really scary like - "What will I wear on formal night?"

ManOfTheHour

Probability of sinking is roughly 14% Its a risk that everyone takes. That's why they have so many life rafts and life jackets. The water really isnt that cold though.

Texas Teen

None of the Royal Caribbean ships have ever sunk! Your chances of sinking are VERY small!

Please don't worry. The ship will not sink. You are going to have one of the best experiences of your life and will want to go again and again.

MDSue

The ship is so large that you should barely realize that you are on water. One of the first things that you will do is a lifeboat drill right after departure. The chances are so slim though don't even think about it.

Focus on all the fun things you can do while you are on the ship. Check out Royal Caribbeans website for ideas and also check the port of call boards here. Maybe you can come up with some great ideas for when you are in port. My kids were about your age on their first cruise- they had a blast. My daughter had her hair braided- a must for most girls and had lots of fun picking out outfits for dinner- especially the formal nights.

You'll have a blast:)

90,000+ Club

You have a better chance of hitting the lottery, than of the ship sinking....Are you a millionaire yet?

You could be hit by a bus tomorrow---are you worried?

A tree could fall on you---an asteroid could hit the earth...killer bees could attack...

Try to put things in perspective...you're going on vacation, and will have a GREAT time!

Probability of sinking is roughly 14%

Where do you get this number from ??????????

Are you stating this as a fact, or just trying to scare a child who is looking for some support and reassurance

wolfshadow

Wow, "broached"??? Interesting word for an eleven year old to use in a first post! :eek:

above sea level cruiser

I am going to assume that this is a legitimate 11 year old girl. I am disgusted with the responses. Joking or not. The Mod's do a good job of cleaning things up but, there is always stupid that follows stupid.

5,000+ Club

Silvery Seas Cruiser

There are lots and lots of big life boats on both sides of the ship. They are not open as in the Titanic movie. They are enclosed and very secure. Perhaps that will be some comfort.

Enjoy your cruise. I just know you will.

Aquahound

I am going to assume that this is a legitimate 11 year old girl

Well then you are more trusting than me.

I failed to mention cowards.... Women, and Children and Cowards first, so you'll be safe!

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

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p&o cruise ship sinking

p&o cruise ship sinking

P&O cruise passengers furious after their ship was refused entry to New Zealand for one very mundane reason

  • 13-day Kiwi Adventure cruise will now visit Tasmania
  • Refused entry to NZ because hull could not be cleaned 
  • Guests offered 'additional compensation'
  • Do you know more? [email protected] 
  • READ MORE:   Ovation of the Seas cruise ship passengers slugged $235 for a Covid test

Thousands of passengers aboard a P&O cruise ship have been left angry and disappointed after their two-week journey around New Zealand was thrown into chaos when the vessel was abruptly denied entry.

The Pacific Adventure left Sydney on Monday for a 13-day Kiwi Adventure voyage but the itinerary for the trip has now been changed to a tour of Tasmania after New Zealand border control stopped the ship entering its waters.

The ship had been due to have its hull cleaned in the Bay of Plenty, but inclement weather prevented divers from being able to undertake the job.

Because of New Zealand's strict biosecurity rules, the ship was turned around. 

'We apologise that the itinerary has had to be amended,' a P&O spokesperson told 9News.

'A change in the forecast conditions made it too dangerous for divers, and therefore we are unable to gain clearance to enter New Zealand.'

Instead, the passengers will now visit  Hobart, Port Arthur and Eden in Tasmania on their cruise.

P&O Cruises Australia said guests had been warned before taking the cruise that 'significant changes to the itinerary' were possible due to New Zealand's biosecurity requirements.

'Guests have been offered additional compensation in light of this change to their itinerary,' the spokesperson said.

A number of passengers took to social media to vent their fury at the last-minute switch in itinerary. 

'Holiday has turned into a nightmare,' one passenger posted. 

'We are not allowed to dock in New Zealand so we are now on the ship for another 3 days before we finally see land. We’re now going to Hobart port Arthur and Eden. Definitely not what I signed up for...' 

'This is just a turd covered in gold glitter,' one person posted.

'Get me off this boat and give me a full refund,' another passenger commented.

Another passenger urged others not to abuse staff over the changed itinerary.

'I'm very upset about this also but the staff don't deserve to be abused and yelled out for something they didn't do,' they posted. 

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  18. Afraid the ship will sink.

    Posted March 13, 2009. Keep an eye out for rogue waves and iceburgs! In all actuality there has not been a mass market cruise ship sinking since 1984 when a HAL ship that caught on fire sunk. Cruise ships tend to stay in calm waters unlike oceanliners because their design will not allow them to handle high seas.

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