Crew rescued from burning fishing vessel

Crew rescued from burning fishing vessel

LONDON. April 5, 2008/3mnewswire.org/ -- At 1035 today Humber Coastguard received a report from the fishing vessel, Matthew Harvey on VHF radio CH16 that they had a fire in the engine room 1.5 Nautical miles from Kilnsea, Spurn Point, River Humber.

Humber Coastguard requested the launch of Rescue 128 Helicopter from RAF Leconfield and Humber RNLI lifeboat. A mayday relay was broadcast and the Pilot Vessel, Venus responded to the call.

All three crew were transferred from the fishing vessel to the Lifeboat and then winched aboard the Rescue Helicopter and taken to Hull Royal Infirmary. After initial assessment all casualties were taken to the Hypobaric Unit to re-oxygenate their blood after smoke inhalation and Hull Coastguard Rescue Team attended the site and assisted in the transfer of the casualties.

The fire onboard the vessel is extinguished and it is now under tow to Grimsby Fish Docks where it will be met by the Humberside Fire Brigade and Cleethorpes Coastguard Rescue team.

Weather on scene is force 7 winds gusting Gale Force 8, with moderate to rough sea conditions and heavy swell making the transfer of the casualties difficult.

Alex Harrison of Humber Coastguard said,

"Fire onboard a vessel is a very serious incident, on this occasion the quick action of the crew of the Matthew Harvey prevented the spread of the fire which was kept under control till the Humber RNLI Lifeboat arrived at the scene. It shows the importance of all crew members knowing how to raise the alarm and what to do in the event of an emergency."

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